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S <br /> I <br /> f{fit - <br /> fi <br /> William .Johnson stated there are three major concerns of the Finance Committee with regard to <br /> the budget from the school, which require a more adequate explanation: <br /> 1 increase in salaries. Mr. .Johnson asked Ills. cotton whether the school committee had <br /> pressed the union to negotiate their contract <br /> 2 major increase in special needs transportation <br /> 3 major increase in out-of-school tuition <br /> Taken together, these three budget items amount to an increase of almost $1,000,000. <br /> George Schmidt stated that he was at the last School Committee meeting which was the public <br /> hearing on the budget. The question was raised about the possibility of asking the unions to <br /> forego raises, rather than reducing the number of personnel, but there was no answer given. In <br /> teras of the two major increases, in the past two years there were a lot of offsets against those <br /> numbers, almost close to what the increases are showing for this year. <br /> Mr. Johnson stated that there should be a broader explanation of the offsets as well as the <br /> increases. Ms. Cotton stated her feeling that the school administration would be forthcoming <br /> with answers to these questions from the Finance Committee. <br /> Mark Davini stated that the School Committee mentioned at a previous meeting that as an i <br /> approach to doing their budget, they tend to believe in the philosophy that it is better to <br /> overestimate rather than underestimate their funding needs, and therefore it is better to ask for <br /> more and if it is not needed, give it back. Mr. Davini stated his concern as to how many items in <br /> the budget may have been "padded" as safety measures, which really do not reflect an accurate <br /> need. <br /> Mr. Johnson stated his belief in the importance of having reserves In a budget; it is sensible, <br /> sane and good management unless it is excessive. Therefore it is important to know which <br /> numbers are real and those that are not firm but could go higher or lower. Mr. Johnson stated <br /> his feeling that reluctance on the pert of the school to enter into a discourse with the Finance <br /> Committee on such issues is a major cause of the tension which exists between the school and <br /> the town, and that if everything was above board, the level Of tension would be reduced <br /> significantly. <br /> Ms. Cotton stated that the Friends are able to ask questions freely of each panty that they are <br /> not able to ask each other, and that it was nearer the intention of the Friends to act as moderator <br /> between the school and the Finance Committee. Ms. cotton added that she felt uncomfortable <br /> bringing back to the school the concerns of the Finance Committee, because so much is lost in <br /> the translation of events that occur and conversations that take place. Ms. Cotton stated that <br /> she has been pleased W*th the response that the Friends have gotten as a committee from all of <br /> the town officials, and feels that they are highly qualified and are very well paid to be in the <br /> positions they are in. Ms. cotton does not want to micro-manage, but wants to feel free to ask <br /> questions that as a taxpayer and as a citizen she has a right to ask, and she feels that she has <br /> received a cordial response to that. Interaction sometimes creates ar reaction from each of the <br /> entities.involved which creates an uncomfortable tone on things. M . cotton stated that <br /> perhaps a third party should be called in to accomplish what the two parties have been unable <br /> to do on their own. <br /> 4 <br />