Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin of fin com 03/23/2006 r 10<<11( of ;If(JJ(~fre,!rI nirQlfu (J,MMI'ttu RECEIVED TOWN CLER~S OFf \CE 06 HAY II AM 10: 22 MANSFIELD MASSACHUSETTS Minutes of Meetim! held Thursdav. March 23. 2006 Finance Committee Members Present: Andrew Gazzolo (presiding) J ames Lazzara Jess Aptowitz Jack Goldberg Charlene Lavin Greg Arnold Tom Stevens Also present: School Superintendent John Moretti and Lincoln Lynch These minutes were prepared by Greg Arnold. The meeting was opened at 7:00 p.m. Matters Discussed and/or Voted On ~ John MOlltti began with a discussion of the school's enrollment projections, pointing out a few areas in which he believed the modeling needed to be explained or understood (Pages 6-34, 6-36, 6-38,6-40,6-48,6-51,6-53 & 6-56). From a variety of perspectives, he indicated that these population projections may actually be a bit on the low side. Greg Arnold pointed out some counter-arguments that could be made that the figures were, in fact, too high (i.e., the projected birth rates do not correspond with the recent decline in actual birth rates; the study relies upon figures taken from a time during which the town was expanding and growing at a rate that is impossible now given the relative lack of remaining buildable lots). These issues were discussed and Mr. Moretti indicated that he would have his consultant look into them. Mr. Moretti reported that the feasibility study had met last week and decided, for a variety of reasons, not to pursue a joint project with the Library, Council on Aging or Cable Television. Rather, they would proceed on a plan calling for 24 classrooms, a Fine Arts/Physical EducationlMusic wing and a revamped school library. Mr. Moretti indicated that the School Department's projected enrollements in the coming years was actually slightly higher than those contained in the 'cohort plus survival' model being used in the expansion study, although he was confident that even at that increased level, 24 classrooms would be sufficient. He also talked of the high number of intensive special needs children that are in the school system and will have to be accounted for as they progress, which impacts the manner in which classrooms can be utilized. Chairman Gazzola reiterated the Finance Committee's request that we be provided with historical headcounts on FTEs from the School Department similar to what we had recently r ;1"""" r- r received from the Fire and Police Departments, and we were told that we would be receiving them shortly. Mr. Moretti and Mr. Lynch left the meeting at approximately 8:00 p.m. The Finance Committee returned to a discussion of the state of the budget, and the fact that neither the Schools nor the Town had yet made any significant cuts. Although the Governor's revenue numbers appear to offer some hope, it is not nearly enough to off-set the current deficit in requested spending. Further discussion was had on a methodology by which the cust could be proposed in an equitable fashion. The Meeting closed at approximately 10:00 p.m.