|
||||
| Draft minutes, Feb. 4, 2010, budget subcommittee |
|
DRAFT Minutes for Meeting of Feb. 4, 2010, 6:00 p.m., School Committee Room AttendeesCommittee Members:Joseph A. Curro, Jr., Chair Cindy Starks (left at 7:03 p.m.) Ronald Spangler Administration: Interim Superintendent Kathleen Bodie Chief Financial Officer Diane Fisk Johnson Others Richard Fanning, Finance Committee Mary Ronan, Finance Committee Joseph Connors, Finance Committee Vicki Ford Josh Lobel Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. Public Participation Vicki Ford shared materials from the previous evening’s Finance Committee meeting, including a comparison of the estimated overall local financial picture before and after the governor’s budget message, and a table highlighting historic trends around teachers and enrollment. Ms. Ford also stressed the need to lay out more quantitative information, in addition to budget narrative. Review of Minutes On a motion of Dr. Spangler, seconded by Ms. Starks, the minutes of Jan. 11, 2010 were adopted by a vote, following amendments. Budget Update Dr. Bodie spoke about how we got to where we are. She spoke about shakiness even in current numbers, because of their dependency upon legislative approval of the Governor’s numbers. She presented the budget summary that had been put forward to the Budget and Revenue Task Force. Dr. Bodie discussed the assumption that grant revenues would drop by 12% in the coming year, noting that the consensus estimate of fellow superintendents is for a 12-15% decrease in such revenue. Ms. Johnson said that she would compare assumptions with colleagues from the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officers in the coming weeks. In regards to circuit breaker reimbursements, Dr. Bodie explained that a slightly more optimistic estimate was being made, in return for a $100,000 guarantee against unanticipated drops that was extended by the Town Manager. In response to a question by Mr. Curro, Dr. Bodie stated that the Governor’s proposal to freeze out-of-district tuition increases is achievable through executive order and not dependent upon legislation. There was discussion of the movement of budget estimates from $2.6-$5.1 million to $6.8 million to $5.8 million to $4.0 million and the need to explain this movement clearly at the upcoming School Committee meeting. One of the questions considered was the level of detail to present at the upcoming meeting. Mr. Curro stressed the importance of tightening up the list of potential impacts of budget cuts, so as to more closely relate to the current estimated shortfall. Ms. Starks departed the meeting at 7:03 p.m. The subcommittee briefly discussed the current state of 5-year planning and special education analysis, including the cost of residential outplacements. Other Business Mr. Fanning communicated the concern of the Finance Committee with the current level of analysis and backup around School Committee budgets. Adjournment On motion of Dr. Spangler, seconded by Mr. Curro, the meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m. by unanimous vote. |
| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 16 February 2010 08:03 ) |
ATTENTION
Registered as well as unregistered users of YourArlington may post comments, but ALL have to sign with their FULL, REAL NAMES for the comments to remain. Your comments remain unpublished until the site's manager publishes them. If there is a delay, the publisher is probably on vacation and you must await his return.
NOTE: The "title" is the headline over your comment, not Mr. or Ms.