HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm. 04/11/2023 (2)Approved 04-25-23
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Minutes for Tuesday, April 11, 2023 RECEIVED
In Person& Virtual Meeting usingGoToWebiZar I) CLERKS C)FFICE
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An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held in person a u ally on Tuesday,
April 11, 2023. The open meeting session was called to order by Chair Kiera O'NOW"LlB.
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Members Present: Administration Present:
Kiera O'Neil, Chair Teresa Murphy, Superintendent
Lynn Cavicchi, Vice Chair Michael Connolly, Assistant Superintendent (Teaching / Learning)
(at 6:05 pm) Ed Donoghue, Assistant Superintendent (Finance/ Operations)
Lauren Scher
jenn Walsh
Vivian Webster (at 6:08 pm)
Members Absent:
All members attended in person; roll call votes are not required tonight.
Three members were present to start the meeting: Kiera O'Neil, jenn Walsh and Lauren Scher.
Chair O'Neil called for a motion to open the Public Hearing on the FY24 School Budget.
Motion to open the Public Hearing by jenn Walsh / Lauren Scher at 6:03 p.m.
Motion Carries 3 - 0
Assistant Superintendent Donoghue and Superintendent Murphy reviewed the latest budget for
FY24 including a timeline of the amounts removed from the budget over the past 6 months. The
new budget amount is $57,601,994 or a 3.14% increase over last year. Kiera O'Neil asked if there
would be any impact due to the recent 20% electric rate decreases that were voted on last night. Ed
Donoghue noted that we may be able to adjust the budget and it may be that the town will use less
free cash. This is something that will be discussed over the next few days.
Assistant Superintendent Donoghue also noted that we were fortunate this year that we are in a
down cycle for textbooks and chromebooks. We do not need a lot of replacements this year. The
Central Services budget is down since we plan to use a large portion of the Pay-N-Ride Revolving
fund to offset the Connolly Bus contract.
On the budget reconciliation page, it was noted that $300,818 is moved back into our budget due to
grants that have ended. Reductions of $889,000 are due to retirements, and some cuts across the
district. Ed emphasized that it is our job to minimize the impact of cuts and the district has been
working diligently to manage the cuts. The tuition regional assessment increased due to a new
building effort at Bristol County Agricultural School. Lauren Scher asked if we had a good sense of
the circuit breaker reimbursement. Ed feels that we should continue to receive approximately 75%
of our expenses as in years past.
Ed ended his presentation by addressing a letter received by Mansfield citizens concerning the
budget. Most of their concerns pertain to the town side. Throughout this presentation Ed has
addressed items specific to the schools. Kiera O'Neil asked if there is any impact to our Capital
Expenditures. We will discuss this after the public hearing.
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Approved 04-25-23
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Minutes for Tuesday, April 11, 2023
In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar
Superintendent Teresa Murphy noted that there are no plans to reduce any extracurricular
activities. Regarding staffing concerns expressed in the letter, we are not looking at sizeable
increases in class size. Our reductions are manageable based on the budget and the decreasing
enrollment. We are very happy with our elementary school class sizes and plan to keep them at
approximately the same number. There are approximately 4 classes at 23 students, 1 class at 24
students and 61 classes with 18 - 22 students with the smaller amounts at kindergarten. During
our post COVID return to school, the district added interventionists to assist with the learning lost.
We have found significant benefit with these positions and plan to keep these as part of our budget.
At all schools, our staffing will be responsible and manageable. Am I satisfied? Any Superintendent
would love to have many positions on site. However, we are responsible for fiscal management and
thus comfortable with what we are proposing. Kiera reiterated that the School Committee charge is
to be an advocate for schools and be fiscally responsible. Lynn Cavicchi noted we have seen the
enrolment bubble come and go. We already have seen responsible staff reductions (example the
reduction of 4 teams per grade to 3 teams per grade at the Qualters Middle School.) We must
continue to have the ability to shift resources long term and we need to have a budget that provides
us with this flexibility.
Chair O'Neil asked if there are any citizens comments regarding the public hearing.
Steve Schoonveld, 21 Newton Street:
Mr. Schoonveld noted through a math problem that there will be a reduction of less then 3% of
staff. He felt that this was manageable. He asked how the Pay-N-Ride funds will be used. Ed noted
that we receive approximately 10% of the total bus contract funds from Pay-N-Ride and it does go
toward the contract. We are in the first year of a new contract. Typically, our commitment from
this fund is $200,000 - $300,000 but this year we will be using an additional amount which still
leaves us with more to use next year. Mr. Schoonveld asked if we anticipate further cuts for next
year. Superintendent Murphy noted that as soon as this budget is finalized we begin looking at
next year's budget. One thing we are trying to do to build enrollment is to expand school choice.
Steve asked if we are concerned with next year's potential financial cliff. Kiera noted that in her 12
years on the School Committee she has seen it all. There have been easy and difficult years. Every
year is different and presents its own set of challenges which will be addressed when the time
comes. We have also worked very hard in recent years to obtain as much state funding as possible.
Teresa Murphy had a recent conversation with Senator Feeney and he hinted at possible new
funding opportunities to help cover the increases in special education costs. If this funding
happens, it will be very beneficial for us. Lauren Scher noted it is important to start thinking about
next year's budget as soon as possible. Create a plan, timeline and recognize potential challenges.
Lynn Cavicchi noted that there is already a budget subcommittee planned for the end of April to
discuss next year.
Steve asked if this budget was built with padding. Teresa explained that we start each year with a
zero -based budget then buildup based on school and district needs. There is not a lot of padding
in our budgets. Lauren noted that she appreciates the collaboration of each school as at times
school are asked to allow the district to shift funds from one school to another.
Chair O'Neil called for a motion to close the Public Hearing on the FY24 School Budget.
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