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| Draft minutes, Feb. 16, 2010, budget subcommittee |
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DRAFT Minutes for Meeting of Feb. 16, 2010, 8 a.m., School Committee Room AttendeesCommittee Members:Joseph A. Curro, Jr., Chair Cindy Starks Ronald Spangler Administration: Chief Financial Officer Diane Fisk Johnson Others: Richard Fanning, Finance Committee Joseph Connors, Finance Committee Kirsi Allison-Ampe Len Kardon Pete Gast Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m. Public Participation There was no public participation. Review of Minutes of February 4, 2010 and February 8, 2010 Dr. Spangler moved to approve the minutes of February 4, 2010, seconded by Mr. Curro. Approved 2-0-1, Ms. Starks abstaining. Dr. Spangler moved to approve the minutes of February 8, 2010, seconded by Ms. Starks. Approved Survey ReviewDr. Spangler presented some initial work around a budget survey design. He proposed that the survey start off with some basic demographic questions. There was general discussion, covering – among other areas: the survey approach of Vision 2020; a question around how to reach individuals with limited English language skills or computer access; the possibility of including a question about Town-School relations; a measurement of confidence in leadership; and how to present clearly how we got here.During a discussion of whether to include a survey question regarding special education, Ms. Johnson stated that she is attempting to get a group of members from MASBO (Massachusetts Association of School Business Officers) to advocate for the Commonwealth to assume responsibility for residential placements. According to the CFO, Arlington currently pays $1.5 million for 7 kids in residential placements. Attendees spoke about the need for one to two pages of questions regarding fees and another several pages of questions about system-wide cuts. Dr. Spangler agreed to incorporate input into an actual survey document for review by the Budget Subcommittee prior to presentation to the full School Committee for approval. Discussion of February 23 School Committee PresentationThere was discussion of the February 23 School Committee agenda item, revolving around the need for more time and granularity. The components of that discussion should be: presentation of line-item budget; discussion and approval of survey; and scheduling of public hearing and possibly an extra March meeting. Mr. Curro agreed to call Mr. Curran to request adjustments to the February 23 agenda.Other BusinessMr. Curro discussed briefly the need for space to accommodate a 45-day program, and suggested some ideas for securing space in Town buildings for such purpose. Forty-five day programs cannot be located in school buildings. Mr. Curro noted that there are discussions with LABBB regarding such a program, but stressed that establishment should be contingent on the same type of analysis being undertaken by Ms. Johnson around other new special education programs.There was brief discussion around a potential permanent surplus vote for Crosby and Parmenter and the generally understood principle that revenues from any sale of these buildings should be directed toward School Department capital needs, particularly as regards the Thompson renovation project. Ms. Johnson noted that neither she nor Dr. Bodie would be in attendance at the Budget and Revenue Task Force meeting on February 22, due to travel and personal commitments. AdjournmentOn motion of Dr. Spangler, seconded by Ms. Starks, the meeting was adjourned at 9:27 a.m. by unanimous vote. |
| Last Updated ( Friday, 19 February 2010 10:09 ) |
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