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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-12 Finance Committee MinutesN OF$ O� r H 4 ,sJ9r 7NCONVO� Town of Reading Meeting Minutes •= CEiVED i!WN CLERK r MASS, rll �ttd. IriSS. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Finance Committee Date: 2014 -03 -12 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Regular Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: 2"a "UN —U P 4: 4b Time: 7:30 PM Location: Conference Room Session: General Session Barry Berman, Craig Merry, David Greenfield, Paul McNeice, Peter Lydecker, Paula Perry, Jeffrey Perkins (arrived at 7:32 p.m.), Karen Herrick (arrived at 7:45 p.m.) Members - Not Present: Mark Dockser Others Present: John Doherty, Superintendent of Schools, Mary DeLai, Assistant Superintendent, School Committee members Hal Croft (arrived at 7:32 p.m.), Chris Caruso (arrived at 7:35 p.m.) and Jeanne Borawski, Linda Snow Dockser, Candidate for School Committee, Geoffrey Coram, RPS Budget Parent Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Topics of Discussion: 1. Call to Order Mr. Berman called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. 2. Discussion /Action Items Joshua Eaton Boiler Replacement Mr. Berman reviewed a recent request and vote by the School Committee to support the request for a reserve fund transfer from Finance Committee in the amount of $200,000 for the boiler replacement at the Joshua Eaton School. It was discovered that the amount requested by the vote and the amount on the document did not match. Mr. Berman made the change to reflect the requested amount of $200,000 and would pass the document onto the Town Manager. Mr. Lydecker moved, seconded by Mr. Merry, to approve the $200,000 transfer for the boiler replacement. The motion carried 7 -0. Early Childhood Education Center Dr. Doherty asked if there were any questions regarding the Early Childhood Education Center that were not covered Monday evening. Page 1 1 Mr. Berman asked if funding for a traffic study has been included in the proposals. He also asked if the amount would be enough to cover a study and has there been discussion with the Chief regarding parking. Dr. Doherty indicated a meeting with the Architects, Jean Delios, Bob LeLacheur and Jim Cormier was scheduled for tomorrow. The School Committee will vote on the proposal at their next meeting on March 24tH Mr. Greenfield commented on how thorough the presentation was on Monday evening and feels it is important to get the word out to the residents before the Town Meeting vote. Dr. Doherty responded by reviewing how the district had gotten to this point. Over the past 2 years, the creation of an Early Childhood Center has been a priority starting with the proposed purchase and renovation of the Woburn Street property. The School Department held several community meetings to review the project including several with abutters. Once it was determined that the Woburn Street property would not be the solution, an Early Childhood Working Group was established to explore other sites. Mr. Greenfield wants to be sure that residents who do not have school age children receive as much information as possible. Mr. Berman thinks the money needs to be spent to present the options thus providing as much information as possible to the community. He is aware there is a risk that we spent the money and time and the project does not receive the support. Mr. McNeice felt that the need for an Early Childhood Education Center has been known to the community for a while and Town Meeting members are aware that it may be on the fall warrant. School Department FY15 Budget Mr. Berman turned the meeting over to Dr. Doherty to present the School Committee Recommended Budget. Mrs. Herrick arrived. The Superintendent set the context in the development of this budget. He reviewed the district vision which is a model of educational excellence in preparing students for an ever - changing complex society. He next reviewed the Theory of Action to fulfill the district vision as well as the strategic objectives and initiatives for the district. Addressing the social - emotional needs of our students continues to be a top priority. The Massachusetts Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is a multiyear process. We have a good structure in place with leadership teams in every building. The A.L.i.C.E training and implementation will improve the safety protocols and procedures. Students who feel safe in school are better learners. We continue to implement the Common Core Standards for math and literacy. We are in the third year of Educator Evaluation tool and continue to improve the process. The use of time, communication, and resources to support staff to improve collaboration is also a priority in this budget. The development and implementation of a long range plan for expanding early childhood education is also ongoing. Dr. Doherty reviewed enrollment and reminded the group that the district space concerns are not driven by enrollment but by programmatic changes. Our enrollment has remained fairly steady. He is concerned with our incoming kindergarten numbers. His office continues to receive calls from families that are moving into town. We have almost maxed out in kindergarten for next fall. Page 1 2 Mrs. Perry asked if there would be a point at which you would have to close enrollment in full day kindergarten. Dr. Doherty said families need full day kindergarten for a variety of reasons, if we turn them away they will go elsewhere for kindergarten and return for first grade. Most Reading students stay in our schools for all 13 years and it is important to enroll them as early as possible so they receive the instruction and exposure to our curriculum at preschool and kindergarten levels. Right now the district is at 72% capacity for full day kindergarten and 75% is the maximum. Ms. DeLai explained that the foundation budget is defined as the minimal level of funding to provide an adequate education to the children in Massachusetts districts. It is updated each year for each district based on enrollment profiles and inflation. The foundation budget establishes the "required net school spending" for a community - minimum funding a community must allocate to education. Mrs. Perry pointed out that the foundation budget matrix has not changed in many years. Mr. Berman said that all districts do not spend in the same manner. Ms. DeLai added that the matrix makes assumptions. She went on to explain the state education aid. The figure for a community's "local contribution" is calculated based on its "ability to pay ". The ability to pay is based on per capita income and equalized property values. She reviewed Chapter 70 funding which represents 22% of actual net school spending in Reading. Ms. DeLai continued her presentation reviewing the per pupil spending information. Reading ranked 293rd in the state for per pupil spending last year and we have dropped to 305th yet our student achievement is in the top 25% if the State. One of the areas Reading ranks high is professional development. Our district offers staff a variety of opportunities in a number of different topics that allow staff to collaborate and learn. Mr. McNeice asked if we are able to retain staff because of the professional development opportunities. Dr. Doherty said our teachers leave for a variety of reasons but more recently more are leaving for better paying positions. Mr. Berman asked if there was a structural deficit in the way per pupil is determined. The Superintendent feels the town is very supportive of education. This is a revenue issue. Mr. Greenfield noted that it is important for the community to understand what is needed to commit to education. The community needs to be aware of what we are doing vs. what we cannot do because of our level of per pupil spending. Mr. McNeice asked if the per pupil is all student spending. Ms. DeLai said it was and it is driven by salary which makes up 80% of the budget. Dr. Doherty continued with the budget overview. The administration has looked at this budget very seriously and if $485,747 would need to be cut, to come in at the Finance Committee number, 75% of the cuts would be personnel. He once again reminded the group that 80% of the budget is salary and other compensation. Mr. Berman asked about the 6 positions included in this budget and noted that there are no classroom teachers included. Dr. Doherty reviewed the additional positions which include 5.9 FTE positions (2.0 Social Workers, one at the high school and one at the elementary level, .5 ELL position is to support our current ELL teacher and the addition of 3.4 Special Education paraeducators is driven by IEP requirements). The School Committee made the elementary position a priority. Page 1 3 Mr. Berman asked about the unfunded FY15 budget requests. Dr. Doherty reviewed the list of requests. Mrs. Herrick stepped out of the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Dr. Doherty said that additional time for paraeducators to collaborate with teachers, professional development opportunities and instructional coaches to model effective teaching practices are a high priority to be able to continue to move the district forward. Mr. Lydecker asked about technology support. Dr. Doherty said we have 3.5 FTE technicians in the district and 1 elementary technology integration specialist servicing 5 schools. This staffing is not adequate. He also feels the district needs to hire a Technology Director. We need a person that is able to lead in the use of technology because as a district, we are becoming more mobile, especially with the implementation of BYOD. Mrs. Herrick returned to the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Mr. Lydecker asked if increasing per pupil would benefit the district. Ms. DeLai indicated the net gain would be $260 per student. Mr. McNeice asked how we benchmark per pupil. Ms. DeLai said we benchmark against other comparable communities. Mrs. Herrick asked about the Library maintenance. Ms. DeLai indicated the maintenance of facilities comes under the control of the School Department. The Building Maintenance budget is a separate budget and has no impact on per pupil spending. Mr. McNeice asked about the prioritized unfunded items and if one social worker was enough. Dr. Doherty said we need the Social Worker and professional development. Ms. DeLai added that we spend a lot of time determining how to shift our resources and use them more effectively. The discussion shifted to salaries. Mr. Berman stated we need to offer competitive salaries and asked what the trend seems to be. Are we losing veteran or newer teachers? Dr. Doherty pointed out that 40% of our teachers are on the top step. Newer teachers will work in Reading for a few years and then may take higher paying jobs in other districts. Mrs. Perry discussed the proposed increase in the substitute rate. She feels it is important to have qualified substitutes available. Mr. Berman asked what the reductions look like. The School Committee has not had this discussion yet. FY15 Maintenance Budget Ms. DeLai reviewed the Maintenance Budget. Mr. Berman asked if the Director's salary was included in this budget. Ms. DeLai said the Director's salary is in the School budget. He then asked when our gas contract is due to expire. Ms. DeLai said June 2015. She will keep a careful eye on what is happening with the price of natural gas and may initiate negotiations earlier. Page 1 4 Mrs. Perry asked if any of the School Department items could be moved to the Capital Plan. Ms. DeLai said that some technology costs and curriculum purchases had been this year. Dr. Doherty asked when the Finance Committee would be voting on the budget. Mr. Berman indicated the Committee would be voting on the budget on March 26tH Mr. Caruso asked for clarification on the proposed date. Mr. Berman would like to wait until the Early Childhood Education Center option has been voted by the School Committee to be sure they have the total amount for the Capital Plan. Mr. Berman recapped the discussion. Local aid numbers have been released and Reading will not be receiving as much as anticipated, the town has spent approximately $500,000 on snow removal and the School Committee Approved Budget is $500,000 over the recommended amount. He also pointed out that an incredible job is done with the money given. Mrs. Herrick left the room at 9:09 p.m. The School Committee members, Dr. Doherty and Ms. DeLai left the meeting. Mrs. Perry feels the Finance Committee needs to have a whole picture discussion. Mr. Greenfield asked about the local aid number. Mr. Berman said we will be receiving $77,000 more than the amount in the Governor's budget. The Town budget was based on a lower local aid figure. Mrs. Herrick returned to the meeting at 9:11 p.m. Mr. Merry asked if it was an all or nothing vote on the School Department budget. Mr. Berman said the Finance Committee could amend the bottom line. Mr. McNeice asked if the Finance Committee could recommend how the funds were to be used. The answer was no. The School Committee can use the funds in the best interest of the schools. Mr. Merry felt the list of needs is serious. Mr. Greenfield said the Finance Committee could vote additional funds to the School Department budget and Town Meeting has the final vote. Mr. Berman shared that any amendments to the budget will result in funding from free cash. The Town will need additional revenues or an operational override. He also felt that asking the voters for an operational override with a healthy free cash balance is political suicide. Free cash needs to be spent down before asking for the override. Mr. Merry asked how much money would we need to get the per pupil to the state average. Mr. Greenfield feels that the Town needs to be informed of what we are missing to continue to meet the educational needs of the Town. He added the Early Childhood Education Center presentation provided information on a well thought out plan. Mrs. Perry asked if the policy of using 5% be increased to 6 or 7 %. Mr. Greenfield said we will not see a return on the $1.5M of free cash being used in this budget. Our free cash will be decreasing. Mr. Berman said that both Capital and debt policy are at 5% Page 1 5 Mr. Greenfield feels we should wait to see what happens with the debt for the Library. Mr. Berman moved, seconded by Mr.Perkins to adiourn The motion carried B -0 The meeting ended at 9:30 p.m. AN�V�2 Page 1 6