2/20/2001 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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t y Finance Committee Minutes February 20 2001 Page Four. He wanted to make a couple of points for consideration. Utilities has increased,they are only guessing what it wiH be next ycar and are asking thein to considcr putting into contingency a utility increase and it would stay in contingency account and would not go into school coffers. Also,they have to take into consideration the increase of cost for health care and they are looking at an increase in SPED costs that are astronomical. They are asking for pre-payment of SPED costs inning$93,000 and are hopeful they can maintain Pre-PaYment approach giving there a little flexibility. They are looking at$190,000, %f"i me unenmMb nNt unspent with a few months left to go. He Just shut down on Purchasing, They have new proposed staff,utilities,MCAS maintenance and textbooks option that has increased the budget figure. If there were areas the Board feels they cannot support he would like to be gen the opportunity to try to defend it. Fred Blythe said when looking at$15 mon figure,it is hard to say where to cut. A %increase is a hefty increase when the rest of the'Town is getting %. If they gave everything that all.departments wanted they would be$953,000 over budges almost 1 mi ion over budget. They know that cannot happen and they try to be Fair,and they do not know what the School Department can do without. He understands conn about oil and electricity,and asked if the School Department had a number set aside for heat and clue. Mr.Fleury read figures,$56,000 for electric,and$95,000 for heat. The Superintendent said the MCAS has devoured diem, SPED has devoured them and the escalating costs of out of district tuition and transportation. Discussion followed regarding cost per pupil. He said he could get breakdown if they want and comparison with other awns. Fred Blythe asked how they are doing with the supplemental budget The Supcnnntendnt said he is getting positive vibes. Discussion followed regarding percent increase w previous years and only 12%this year. Fred Blythe said all other dcpartments have been close to level funded in past years and they are getting to the point where thcy need an increase in their budgets. Dismission followed regarding increase in numbers of high school students and the Superintendent felt the.numbers would plateau at 1,100 for grades 7-12. Kindergarten had 2 more kids than they thought they would.have;it should level off m 2 years. Discussion followed regarding the school lunch prow. The Superintendent said they arc conung up with a way to identify the kids without anyone knowing who is on the program. Numbers arc low in the high school and it wfll impact the state formula. Carlton Meredith said there is only so mach money in the pot and the school department would get its share and the Board thanked the Superintendent for conning in. APPROVAL of QTS: Canton Meth made motion to approve the Afinutcs of the Febmary 6,,2001,Fi