Note that almost the entire meeting was devoted to a discussion of next year's budget. The news was mostly disheartening -- there is not enough money even to continue the services we currently provide. There are several meetings over the next few weeks that you should think about attending if you want to know more:

January 11th -- townwide summit of Board of Selectman, Finance Committee, School Committee, Capital Planning Committee, Treasurer. This meeting will try to capture all of the financial challenges facing the town over the next several years. Some large-ticket examples: school rebuilds, operating budget deficits, Police and Fire building improvements, health care, etc.

January 29th -- School Committee presentation on options for increased revenues and potential cuts in expenditures.

January 30th -- forum organized by STAND on state funding with Senator Bob Havern, Representative Jim Marzilli, Representative Jay Kaufman, Representative Will Brownsberger.

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2007-01-09 School Committee Meeting

Kathy Fennelly absent -- not feeling well

In addition to regular School Committee members, student reps Sean Conroy and Ella Harenian; B.J. Cataldo, Dir Special Ed; Kevin Hutchinson, Asst Supt.; Sue Mazzarella, CFO

No Public Participation

Budget Presentation, Nate Levenson

Same approach as last year -- budget overview plus some possible avenues to pursue -- wants to get some buy in on investigation areas. We are talking about what we want to talk about further.

Want to find a budget that best meets the needs of our students.

Formal PowerPoint Presentation "Tough times and many tough choices"

Unfortunately, that is the theme of tonight's presentation. We face an unpleasant reality.

Expenses growing faster than revenue: This will continue for next 3 years -- after that, everything is
drastically worse, or there is another override.

We are not spending too much or spending unwisely. Problem is not too much spending, but too little revenue.

Special education courses growing too rapidly.