04/25/1991 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

Home Browse Search

User Fees We are delighted to hear that the School Committee plans to accept our recom- mendation and refund the user fees paid this year by parents. The Finance Committee wishes to express thanks to the School Committee for their coopera- tion in this matter. No matter what further resolution comes about relative to the issues being examined by this sub-committee, the Finance Committee can stand proud with the knowledge that the parents of our school children will be helped in these difficult times by receiving these refunds. Unfortunately, unanswered questions remain concerning this issue. On February 16, 199G the School Committee, in a memo to the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee, indicated that user fees totaling $41,200 would be neces- sary to operate extra-curricular activities. We now understand. that $8,000 was collected. Where did the additional $33,000 come from? It is also inter- esting to note that this same memo states, "In order to maintain our instru- mental program, intermural program and interscholastic program we are suggest- ing user's fees of $175.00, $10.00 and $20.00, respectively." The information provided on April 18, 1991 describes a very different fee structure. Regret- tably, this is just another example of what seems to be a pattern of mis- information which we have received. Another perplexing issue concerns state- ments recently made which indicate the School Committee has all along intended to refund these user's fees. If this is the case, why was nothing said and why, when School Committee member Marianne Gibbs raised this issue at the last School Committee, was nothing said about a refund? Purchase of New Stoves It has been reported that the three stoves recently installed in the Home Economics classroom (a program which the School Committee has voted to elimi- nate) were ordered on February 12th. On March 12th the School Committee reported to the Finance Committee that it was likely that the Home Economics program would be eliminated and voted on March 22nd to eliminate the program. With the probability of elimination known on March 12th, the School Committee certainly had time to cancel the order for the stoves. It is perplexing to note that a rationale for buying the stoves is to support the community school and civil defense programs, especially as the School Committee indicated up until March 22nd that the schools would be closed to outside groups next year. Does this mean that the community school will again have access to the schools? It also must be noted that the Community Schools have not used the stoves in the home economics classroom for more than 20 months. In the past, it has been the cafeteria and not the home economics room which has been used as a shelter facility. Most perplexing of all about this issue is the state- ment, "If only the Finance Committee had asked before jumping to conclusions! " . Our Vice Chairman, Carole Dunivan did ask and the reply she received was "no comment. " 2