2/4/2016 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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4 Finance Committee Minutes February 4, 2016 NEW BUSINESS Joint FY17 Budget Meeting with School Committee: The Finance Committee convened with Patricia DeBoer Acting School Superintendent,Paul Funk School Business Administrator and George Schmidt School Committee representative and liaison to the Finance Committee. Rodney C. Collins,the Town Manager was also in attendance. Overall,the FY17 School budget has increased 1.83%over the FY16 budget. The total request of $20,841,556 conforms to the Town Manager's recommended Town budget for fiscal year 2017. This represents an increase of$374,480. Last year's budget increase was 2.74%. Mr. Funk highlighted several budget assumptions and determinations which have led to the cost projection for FY17. For ease of review,the figures are rounded. Of note is a$101,000 reduction in transportation due to a bus contract with the Cape Cod Collaborative. It was noted the Collaborative is a part of the Mashpce School district and therefore the district would determine what is required for transportation. To date,buses are paid for, and there are no new vehicles planned for fiscal year 2017. With regards to School supplies, employees have been directed not to duplicate supplies. While the Coombs and Quashnet Schools have submitted decreases,the Middle/High School cost of supplies has increased to allow for the purchase of new books. When considering textbooks to technology,it was noted that last year Chromebooks were purchased. However, some of the departments opt to purchase textbooks as well as obtaining software packages. Textbooks are generally used for history, and math including geometry. In discussing salaries, 80%of the School budget is comprised of this fixed cost. The negotiated increase from FY15 to FY16 is 2%. Currently,the School is engaged in collective bargaining. A one-year contract is being negotiated for COLA only. The COLA in the current operational year is 2%. In negotiations,there are no language changes under consideration. A costly budget item that is often not fully known is out-of-district placement for special needs students. The expense is pro-rated. Within the past three weeks, it was reported three students have been added to the out-of-district program. This line item has increased by approximately $88,000. Mr. Funk indicated the FY17 budget is fair and transparent. It is anticipated that funding would be returned from FY16,but the full amount has not yet been determined.