Selectwoman Diane Mahon, who says she is frustrated by the lack of response to her questions about projected school budget deficits, has filed a public-records request for the information. She says she acting on her own and not for any other member of the board.

Mahon says she filed the request for draft school numbers on Tuesday, Feb. 16, to interim Superintendent Kathleen Bodie. Bodie was asked to comment Feb. 18, but she is on vacation. Marie Carroll, her secretary, said the request will be forwarded to school attorneys.

Members of the School Committee's budget subcommittee were asked to comment at its meeting Friday, Feb. 19. Joseph Curro Jr., committee chairman, said members were aware of Mahon's request, that it would be addressed and that he expected the public to hear the latest budget update at the meeting of Tuesday, Feb. 22.

Mahon wrote to the Arlington e-mail list Feb. 18, in the context of a discussion of school issues, reporting she had filed the request. She provided further background documentation to YourArlington.

Here is Mahon's post to the e-mail list, which is published with her permission:

"Regarding the budget shortfall and its fluctuation, I am increasingly frustrated with the refusal of Superintendent Bodie to provide ANY draft figures of revenue and expenses in how the shortfall numbers have been arrived at and presented to the town.

"In 12/09, the projected school budget shortfall was $1.8M to $2.3M.

"In 1/10, the projected school budget shortfall was $6.8M.

"In 2/10, the projected school budget shortfall was/is $4.8M.

"I have requested since December that the Superintendent provide actual numbers to show how the varying figures were calculated. In fact, since the Superintendent continues to ignore my polite, non-public attempts at getting the draft (D-R-A-F-T) figures, I submitted a Public Records Request to her on Tuesday, 2/16/10 at 8 a.m., to which she is still refusing to honor. Her claim is the numbers won't exist until, at the earliest, 2/23/10 which just happens to be the day AFTER our Budget Revenue & Task Force Meeting where we discuss ... you guessed it, the budget shortfall.

"The figures must exist in order for the Superintendent to arrive at the $4.8M budget shortfall prediction. And again, I'm only asking for draft, not hard-and-firm, numbers that were used. These numbers/figures HAVE to exist. The Town Manager has produced the town-side numbers since 12/09, so it's not an insurmountable task.

"After the Powers & Sullivan debacle which, by the way, was the result of over a year's long attempt at trying to unravel my confusion regarding the school budget and its accounting procedures, the -- sorry to use/abuse this phrase -- transparency from the Superintendent on this important issue is only making me more committed to find out what it is that the Superintendent is refusing to make public.

"So, I'd be interested in the candidates, as well as current members' thoughts or suggestions on how to address this situation."

Request for information on Friday, Feb. 12

Mahon provided a copy of her request for information e-mailed at 8:22 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12. It was copied to Joseph Curran, chairman of the School Committee; Brian Sullivan, the town manager; Juliana Rice, town counsel; Ed Marlenga, the town's other attorney; and Marie Krepelka, the selectmen's administrator.

"Dr. Bodie and/or Chairman Curran:

"I am formally asking for a copy of the most recent draft detailed Arlington School Budget within the next 7 business days.  I am informed that draft documents do not enjoy the privilege of being withheld and, as such, are public documents.

"Also, I am making this request on behalf of myself and no other Board or Committee; however, I ask that my colleagues also be given such upon receipt by the Selectmen's office.  I also ask that you acknowledge and confirm your receipt of this request.

"If either or both of you could please inform the Board Administrator, Ms. Krepelka, by Monday, 2/15/05 by 12:00 p.m. whether I need to request this document through a Public Records Request and I will be happy to provide one on Monday by 4:00 p.m.

"Thanking you in advance for your anticipated cooperation,

"Diane M. Mahon
"23 Howard Street

"p.s. to Ms. Krepelka:  Could you forward to my colleagues as an FYI?"

Interim superintendent's response that afternoon

That afternoon at 3:19, Bodie responded, with copies to Curran, Sullivan, Rice, Marlenga and Krepelka.

"Hi Diane -

"At this point, we do not have the complete detailed budget you requested. The revenue summary, which is part of the FY11 budget, has been posted on our website. The school budget reflecting both revenue and expenses will be presented at the School Committee meeting on February 23rd. At that time, we will be happy to provide it to you and to the other members of the Board of Selectmen.

"A revised list of possible reductions corresponding to the 4.0 budget shortfall will be posted to the website early next week. Currently posted, are possible reductions (with impact statements) corresponding to a $6.8 million deficit.  Budget documents that have been given to the School Committee can be found on our website.  The final FY10 budget has also been posted.  You might be interested in the FY11 historical spreadsheets.  If you scroll down you will find the more detailed of the two documents which describes the assumptions at different points in time this year as the amount of the FY11 deficit has evolved.

"Best regards,

"Kathy

"Kathleen Bodie, Ed.D.
"Interim Superintendent of Schools

"When writing or responding, please be aware that the Massachusetts Secretary of State has determined that most e-mail is a public record and, therefore, may not be kept confidential."

Mahon's response that afternoon

Two minutes later on Friday, Feb. 12, Mahon responded to Bodie:

"Thank you for your prompt response on a Friday before vacation week.
 
"I have actually viewed, printed out and gone over the website links you have cited, including the most recent PowerPoint presentation, I believe, presented by you and/or Diane Johnson to the SC.
 
"What I am looking for is the actual draft school budget  showing both expense and revenue figures on which you have presented your projected 2011 budget shortfall to the BoS and BR&TF members at the last two meetings before our February 22nd BR&TF meeting.  Not having that information at the last two meetings really has not been productive.  Also, I know I need adequate time to study and make any inquiries before the 2/22/05 meeting to expedite and allow for a more productive exchange of information.
 
"As an individual Selectman, I have received many requests (via email, phone and in-person) regarding a possible override or some other way to help APS with their budget shortfall, and before I can thoroughly start that exercise, I really need to see the actual budget figures that you're basing your shortfall on.  I do have some ideas that possibly could address both town and school side shortfalls; however, I need to be able to analyze the school budget figures in a similar fashion as I can with the town budget figures.
 
"From my review and notes I have:
 
"12/09 $2.6M School Budget shortfall
"1/10  $6.8M School Budget shortfall
"2/10  $4.0M to $5.8M School Budget shortfall
 
"This document must exist to allow you to arrive at your past and current budget shortfall projections  So, I must state I am making a formal request in accordance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law, G.L. c. 66 for the current detailed draft 2010 School Department Budget showing both expense and revenues figures.  I will consider this request to be officially received on Tuesday, February 16, 2005 at 8 a.m."

This story was first published Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, and updated.