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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-21 Finance Committee Minutes Finance Committee Meeting March 21, 2012 RMLD Conference Room The meeting convened at 7:30 p.m. in the RMLD Conference Room, 230 Ash Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman David Greenfield, FinCom members Jeanne Borawski, Mark Dockser, Marie Ferrari, Paula Perry, and Hal Torman. Also present were: Superintendent John Doherty, Assistant Superintendent Patty de Garavilla, Director of Finance & Operation Mary DeLai, School Committee members Robinson, Janowski, Caruso, Gibbs, Spadafora and Croft. FY2013 School Department Budget Chair Greenfield reviewed the agenda for this evening. He reminded the attendees that the School Committee Approved budget amount and the amount submitted by the Town Manager are approximately $62,000 apart. Chair Robinson thanked the Finance Committee for the opportunity to defend the budget. He went on to provide an overview of the School Committee Approved budget highlighting the requests and amounts. Dr. Doherty reviewed the agenda for this evening’s presentation. The presentation will include an overview of the FY13 Budget Development Process, the RPS Strategy for Improvement of Student Outcomes, FY13 Budget Drivers, Cost center Descriptions & Overviews and Q & A. The Superintendent went on to review the budget drivers which include the district mission and the Strategy for Improvement of Student Outcomes. The challenges faced developing this budget included the effects of 3 years of level funding, Federal Stimulus funding ends, unknown impact of state aid and health insurance costs, unknown kindergarten enrollment and the use of 1.5 million in reserves. In the development of the FY13 budget the district faced challenges that include absorbing the 3 years of level funding which accounted for the reduction of 34.8 positions, increased enrollment and class size, restoration of FY12 reductions, addressing technology hardware replacement, addressing the social-emotional needs of our students, implementing the Common Core Standards and Educator Evaluation tool, and the need for continued improvement and innovation. Dr. Doherty outlined the district priorities for the FY13 budget. Behavioral health of all students, continued growth and development of staff, low class sizes in grades K-2, middle st school interdisciplinary model, 21 century learning initiatives, maintenance of the technology infrastructure, maintenance of our facilities and retention of all regular day programs are the outlined priorities. Ms. DeLai continued to review the FY13 budget drivers. She pointed out that the teachers are not receiving step or COLA increases for the first year of their contract. It is important to restore the cuts in per pupil funding to the schools as well as the return of the paraeducator hours that were reduced. The district must also absorb the cost of the salaries funded by the EdJobs grant. Ms. DeLai shared that we have benefitted from lower natural gas prices and have seen a savings and plans increased use of accumulated revenues in revolving accounts available to offset approximately $400,000 in expense in FY13. Dr. Doherty reviewed what he would like to include in the FY13 budget. The expansion of the Middle/High School Health Education program, Therapeutic Support Program, High School In- School Suspension Program, technology replacement, restoration of instructional supplies and materials, partial restoration of paraeducator hours, hiring a district wide School Psychologist for assessment, additional staffing to address special education services, District technology support are the highlights of this budget. Ms. DeLai reviewed the savings and offsets included in this budget. Dr. Doherty reviewed Professional and Curriculum Development included in this budget and then went on to provide information on the proposed the plan to improve the health curriculum. Mr. Greenfield asked clarifying questions. Ms. DeLai provided information on Special Education and the impact on the budget. The number of students requiring services has steadily increased. Mr. Torman asked a question regarding the mix of services required. Superintendent Doherty indicated that children on IEPs may only require one on one assistance and the students with greater needs may be placed in programs within the district. Ms. Ferrari asked for clarification on the out of district placements. Ms.DeLai reviewed the FY14 budget challenges including increased enrollment both in the full day kindergarten program and a large ninth grade class in the 13-14 school year. Ms. Ferrari inquired about the percentage of students that leave for private school entering ninth grade. Dr. Doherty said that the district retains approximately 95% of our students. Dr. Doherty and Ms. DeLai answered questions regarding employee attrition, teacher experience, measures of effectiveness for health curriculum, types of professional development opportunities and Fitness Center use. Ms. Borawski voiced concerns over the use of $400,000 of funds from revolving accounts to help balance this budget. What would the plan be after these funds are expended? Ms. Ferrari voiced similar concerns. Dr. Doherty pointed out that the Behavioral Health needs of our students is a priority in this budget and if we do not address these needs now it will end up costing the district more money over time. Mrs. Perry thanked the School Committee for providing a transparent budget. Mr. Greenfield agreed. The School Committee budget was very thorough and hit all the priorities. The School Committee adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Mr. Greenfield wanted to discuss the $62,000 difference in the budget forwarded by the Town Manager. It was determined that more information from the Town Manager would be needed which they could get at the next meeting. Mr. Dockser shared that he felt addressing the behavioral health of our students is crucial and he supports restoring the $62,000. He also was pleased at the energy savings realized by the town because of the performance contracting work. Ms. Ferrari reiterated her concerns regarding the use of the revolving accounts and where the funds would be come from once this source has been exhausted. Chair Greenfield reviewed the next steps in the budget process and the meeting calendar. Ms. Ferrari moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dockser. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.