HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Sub Comm. 03/23/2022Budget Subcommittee Meeting Minutes
March 23, 2022
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Present: Jenn Walsh; Lynn Cavicchi; Frank Delvecchio; Michael A. Trowbridge; Sara '`VV 6;-andUKr(Q.ilk
Also Present: Barry LaCasse, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director, Kevin Durn T� Wn f��anagerLTRr�sa
Murphy, Superintendent of Schools, and Edward Donoghue, Assistant Superintende {L�a�{ II 11 44
I. Open Meeting
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Budget SubCommittee: (4 for quorum)
Present were members:
Frank DelVecchio Michael Trowbridge Jenn Walsh Lynn Cavicchi Sara Walsh (Chair) Walter Wilk
Ms. Sara Walsh called the budget sub meeting to order at 6:03 PM with six members present.
Select Board (3 for quorum)
Present were members:
Frank DelVecchio Michael Trowbridge Steve Schoonveld Jess Aptowitz
Not present were members: Neil Rhein
Michael Trowbridge, Vice Chair called the Select Board meeting to order at 6:03 PM with four members present.
Finance Committee (4 for quorum)
Present were members:
Sara Walsh Walter Wilk Scott Feely Jack Cooney
Not present at the start of the meeting were members: Brian Eagle, Michael DeSantis, and Michael Flaherty
Ms. Sara Walsh called the Finance Committee meeting to order at 6:03 pm with four members present.
Brian Eagle arrived at 6:26 pm.
School Committee (3 for quorum)
Present were members:
Lynn Cavicchi Jenn Walsh
Not present were members: Kiera O'Neil, Linda Fernando, and Lauren Scher
2. Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Discussion of Town Clerk and School Department
Presentation of Town Clerks Budget
Ms. Marianne Staples provided an overview of the Town Clerk's department responsibilities. She then gave a basic over
of her typical budget, noting that elections can affect the Clerk's budget more than any other items. She informed the
Committee of the Voting Reform Bill, which would involve several additional days of voting in addition to the extra voting
days which she had already planned for in her proposed budget. She also noted that the number of precincts has increased
and two of the original precincts have been divided into two new districts. The Committee asked how these additional
days and precincts could affect the FY2023 budget and Ms. Staples provided answers and information.
Presentation of Schools Budget
Mr. Ed Donoghue and Ms. Murphy were present and provided a presentation of the Schools' proposed Budget for Fiscal
Year 2023.
Mr. Donoghue and Ms. Murphy made the committee aware of some Budget Assumptions which will affect the proposed
budget. They noted that the union agreements for custodians, paras, and food services workers are currently underway.
Mr. Wilk asked if any of the workers are asking for higher increases due to inflation. Ms. Murphy said yes. Mr. Donohue
said the increases being requested are higher than typical.
Mr. Donoghue informed the Committee that Technology has become an issue with failing Smartboards and maintenance
of technology. The Schools are proposing a "refresh" of approximately 90% to Smartboards with LED boards which will
have a longer life. This replacement plan of about 225 Smartboards would take place over the summer, at the cost of $1 -
Million over a 5 -year lease. These devices have a 10 -year life. Mr. Cooney asked how old the old smart boards are, Ms.
Murphy said that they started being installed in about 2005. Ms. Murphy noted that MESA donated a large number of
then around 2010. Mr. Donoghue noted that the difference between existing maintenance costs and the new least would
be approx. $23,000 in this budget. Mr. DelVecchio asked if that maintenance cost would carry over into the future years
of the lease. Mr. Donoghue said yes, but noted that there should be at least 5 -years of use beyond the lease. Mr
Schoonveld asked if the Schools would own these at the end of the lease. Mr. Donoghue said yes, it is a $1 buyout at the
end. Mr. Eagle asked if something breaks are we responsible forthat and Mr. Donoghue said yes. Ms. Murphy noted that
there is a team of staff members who maintain this type of equipment. Mr. Donoghue stated that there is also a new
lease for Chromebooks. Mr. Schoonveld asked how many Smartboards there are in the district. Mr. Donoghue said there
will be about 250 for all five schools once the work is completed. Mr. Schoonveld asked if these expenses for Smartboards
and Chromebooks are CIP or in the budget. Mr Donoghue said they are in the budget.
Mr. Donoghue then gave a year -over -year (FY22/FY23) overview of goods & services. Mr. Wilk asked what the increase
consideration was, and Mr. Donoghue said it is up 8%. Mr. Wilk asked what the fuel charge was last year and Mr.
Donoghue stated that it is part of the bussing bid. He noted that there is an escalation charge built in in case fuel prices
go over a certain amount. Mr. Eagle asked if the schools have ever considered regionalizing on bussing. Mr. Donoghue
said he has never seen two towns bid simultaneously. Mr. Donoghue did note that the schools have considered included
costs such as masks for Covid outbreaks and extra cleaning as part of the bid. Ms. Murphy noted that Mansfield is unique
in that our school locations are campus -style, so we use 29 buses. Where if we had neighborhood school locations, there
would be far less busses. Mr Donoghue stated that the public -school system is required by State law to provide bussing
for private schools in Town.
Mr Donoghue noted that they are increasing fees for services such as Little Hornets, Roland Green preschool, night school
for high school students, PSAT's, and some sports fees which will help off -set increases being imposed on the schools. Mr.
Eagle asked if the fees charged cover the cost. Mr. Donoghue said they do not. Mr. Cooney asked is the FY22 budget is
representative of what the FY22 actuals will be. Mr Donoghue said they are trending on target. Mr. Donoghue stated
that they are considering re -instituting fees for services such as summer school.
Ms. Murphy gave an overview of why there is a need for additional staffing. She stated that with behavioral issues the
learning challenges are great. To see additional administrative positions in a budget is typically a non-starter, but recently
the teachers have been stressing the needs for additional administrative positions. Ms. Murphy noted that there is a
consideration for a Dean of Students at the middle school. This would be a school -year only position to address behavioral
situations. They have been piloting this program this year. Absenteeism has had a dramatic increase since Covid.
Additionally, the Academic Advocacy Center needs administrative support and Dean of students would be involved there
as well. Administrative support for MCAS testing is needed, as well as some kind of positive student recognition program.
The pilot program was started with a veteran teacher over the last year. At any given time, they have eight or nine
investigations going on. All instances of bullying must be investigated. Also, Title IV Sexual assaults and language issues
are on an uptick. In the past bullying situations were almost always able to be resolved, but currently that has become
more challenging and more involved. Each case takes about four days of one Admin's time to get to closure. The job is
very different now, so the Schools are looking to add that position. Truancy has already started to improve since the pilot
program was instituted due to the introduction of this Dean of Student services. Mr. Eagle asked why the middle school
was chosen to pilot this program. Ms. Murphy stated that the high school has three assistance principals, QMS and J/J
have two principals, the Robinson has one. She said, the student needs are greater there now than they have been, and
noted that the student free lunch program has increased to 25% of student population. This is indicative of changes in the
needs of the students. Mr. Eagle asked if Covid is causing a blip or will this become a new lasting trend. Ms. Murphy said
she hopes it is just a blimp, and she feels this will bounce back in a relatively short time. Mr. Cavicchi stated that she
believes that the students who were already struggling before the pandemic are struggling even more. That's where the
money will go because those are kids who are suffering the most from Covid impact. Their gap is not only larger, but they
would typically take longer to catch up. She feels it is going to be a long haul for some of most affected. Mr. Trowbridge
noted that some of the younger students had two years at home and those students are still trying to learn the basic
classroom skills. Ms. Murphy stated that the moderate special needs at Jordan Jackson School will increase, so those
students will be going to QMS, therefore full inclusion will be increasing at QMS. According to research, we need to do
more co -teaching which we have already started doing at QMS. Mr. Eagle asked if that would mean that the full inclusion
number would be anticipated to go down at the J/J, and Ms. Murphy said no because there are several students under
evaluation. Ms. Murphy also noted, the Robinson School has too many severe special needs to fit in one classroom and
the numbers there are remaining the same at Roland Green so they cannot move a teacher from Roland Green to the
Robinson School.
Mr. Donoghue stated that there has been a reduction of 50-100 students per year for the past few years. Mr. Wilk stated
that Ms. Murphy and Mr. Donoghue should expect that people will not understand why there is a request for increased
FTE's while there is a consistent reduction student population at the schools. Ms. Murphy gave examples of there being
70+ non-English learners and 60+ former non-English learners and there needs to be teachers forthese learners. We are
looking to support these students. The teachers move from school to school to support. Mr. Will stated, I think if you look
at the velocity of budget, I just don't want to see something get passed and then a year from now the doors get blown off.
Ms. Murphy, noted that the School Committee has charged me with getting the schools on track. Mr. W ilk said, my concern
is I don't want to see something that is unsustainable and we end up laying off teachers in future years. Mr Cooney, asked
if School Choice is available in Mansfield. Ms. Murphy said that Mansfield is going with School Choice to off -set the
declining enrollment. She added that it is not on the backs of tax payers, it is actually a way to mitigate everything that it
costs to educate a student. A sending district pays $,5000, but that doesn't reflect costs like overhead and electric. Mr.
Schoonveld stated that it is fictious to look at from the $14,000 per student cost. Mr. Donoghue stated that the $5,000
goes into a school revolving fund. Mr Donoghue said, Norton gets about a plus of $1 million per year from School Choice.
Mr. Trowbridge asked when the money comes to the district. Mr Donoghue said it comes twice a year. Mr. Trowbridge
asked how many students will be accepted, and the answer was 50-100. Ms. Murphy said, it is a change for Mansfield but
it is not a change for Massachusetts public schools. We are losing students and we are looking to be able to bring in more
funding to keep up the level of educational services that have been available in Mansfield. Ms. Murphy added, I believe
this is going to be a good thing for Mansfield because it is a way to sustain our academic programing. She noted, we have
gone down a division in sports leagues because of the reduced number of students. We want MHS to continue to be
known for academic excellence and for extra curriculars as well.
Mr. Trowbridge asked if the schools have considered how to reduce in order to have a balanced budget for FY23. Mr.
Donoghue stated that they are looking into what could be applied to ARPA funding so the budget could be reduced by
that amount. He added that they also discussed the possibility of applying the anticipated School Choice funding revenue.
Ms. Walsh asked if the goal is reached there will be a balanced budget at the April budget sub meeting. Mr. Schoonveld
asked if the Budget Subcommittee has reviewed the revenue side of things. Ms. Walsh stated that revenue was reviewed
in the first budget sub meeting. Ms. Cavicchi asked if the School Committee could have the Town's updated budget cut
numbers before the next School Committee meeting.
3. Any Items Not Known within 48 Hours
There were no items.
4. Meeting Adjournment
Motion: To adjourn the Select Board meeting at 8:04PM (Trowbridge/Schoonveld)
Motion: To adjourn the Finance Committee meeting at 8:04 PM (Wilk/Cooney)
Motion: To adjourn the B et Subcommittee meeting at 8:04PM (Trowbridge/DelVecchio)
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Si fu re Date
Minutes prepared by Nancy Griffin
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