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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 11/17/2022Approved 11-29-22 Mansfield School Committee Budget Subcommittee Meeting Minutes for November 17, 2022 Superintendent's Office RECEIVED TOWS j CLERKS OFFICE 2022 DEC - I A & 4b A meeting of the Mansfield School Committee Budget Subcommittee was opened and iCV.q qCQ at 4:40p.m. M ASSACHUSET TS SC Members Present: Lynn Cavicchi, Jenn Walsh Others present: Teresa Murphy, Superintendent Ed Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent Debbie Scott, Financial Operations Supervisor Brian Eagle and Scott Feely, Finance Committee liaisons to School Committee Old Business Approval of Minutes Minutes for 2/3/22, 3/29/22, and 10/6/22 were approved, 2-0. New Business Review of FY24 Budget with members of Finance Committee Ed provided an overview of some of the main budget drivers for FY24. DESE is advising districts to anticipate a 14% increase for out -of -district special education tuition rates, and the BICO collaborative anticipates a 8-10% increase. The cost of utilities is another concern. Electric and water rates will be a challenge. The district's natural gas contract expired, and the district is looking for a new two-year contract, which would provide set rates for budgeting purposes. New boilers (high efficiency) at MHS next year may help offset some of the higher utilities costs. The initial rough budget increase came in at 6.6%, and the district would need to look at staff reductions to come in within 2-3% range. The recommendation of both finance committee representatives was for the district and town to both submit a level services budget proposal, so that both sides will be at the same starting point in January, and to make reductions as needed over the course of the spring. Discussion of facilities needs study and scope Teresa and Ed gave an update on the educational space study being undertaken by the district. Finance Committee liaisons were very supportive of the process and the thoroughness of the steps being taken by the consultants. Future "major" facilities projects for the five-year capital improvements plan include roofing, paving, boilers, and the MHS gym. Ed explained that the MSBA proposal process was on hold for the next fiscal year, although the district anticipates submitting proposal requests in the future. Approved 11-29-22 Mansfield School Committee Budget Subcommittee Meeting Minutes for November 17, 2022 Superintendent's Office Review of Special Education Stabilization Fund Policy draft The group discussed adding a step to the draft wording to reflect the intent to notify the Finance Committee chair as part of the process to request dispersing funds. Teresa will revise the policy to reflect this change and share the new wording with the Town Budget Subcommittee. Brian suggested that the Finance Committee add this policy to its "scorecard", so that the Finance Committee could keep track of the annual progress made toward funding the stabilization account. Discussion of potential FY24 Fee Changes Ed provided an overview of the current fees charged by the district. Fees are reviewed every year as part of the budget cycle, and the district surveys neighboring districts to compare fee charges. Ed mentioned that it is likely custodial fees for facilities usage will need to increase due to contractual obligations. He also mentioned that bus transportation is another fee that may need to be considered for increase. Transportation fees pre-Covid covered 15% of the cost of student transportation and currently only covers closer to 10%. Ed and Debbie noted the last transportation fee increase was approximately a decade ago and that they will be surveying local districts to see what rates they are charging. Scott suggested that the district develop a written guideline for fees, (e.g. fee is targeted at X% of overall cost) as a way to provide more transparency for the community and as a communication tool to help explain why increases are needed. • Other- Any items not anticipated by the Chairperson 48 Hours prior to this meeting n/a • Upcoming Agenda Items / Next Meeting Date The next meeting of the budget subcommittee will be on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 5:48 pm. Respectfully submitted, Lynn Cavicchi Vice Chair School Committee