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Board of Selectmen <br /> Minutes 2 <br /> March 23, 1998 <br /> APPOINTMENTS AND HEARINGS: <br /> School Committee re: Budget: (continued) <br /> Discussion followed with regards to the Governor's proposed budget <br /> that has been filed for an increase in Chapter 70 resolution aid in the <br /> amount of$675,851 over the previous year. <br /> If the Governor's proposal prevails,the 60% increase will allow the Town <br /> to appropriate additional funding to boost educational spending. Mr. Whritenour <br /> indicated that he is hopeful the Town will get$500,000 in State Aid from the <br /> proposed budget. At this time, legislative action has not yet been determined. <br /> Kathleen Lynch, Chairman of the School Committee indicated that Mashpee <br /> schools are faced with mandated costs in the area of special education, and <br /> with contractual obligations for teacher salaries in addition to increased school <br /> enrollment which is expected to be 2,173 this October. <br /> The School Department is required to submit notification to existing staff <br /> regarding potential layoffs by May 15, 1998. If an override is sought this year, <br /> it is inevitable that an override will occur next year. Mrs. Lynch indicated that <br /> it is unlikely that residents will vote for an override twice. <br /> Selectman Costa indicated that the Selectmen are willing to commit up to the <br /> first $500,000 of Chapter 70 funds for educational funding. It was noted that <br /> every Town Department was asked to level fund their budget this year. There <br /> are no other initiatives to increase the School Department's budget. Current <br /> revenues do not support additional funding. It was noted that funds were taken <br /> from stabilization to support the School Department's fiscal year 1999 budget. <br /> Based on the reduction of the stabilization fund, the funds required for property <br /> tax relief must come from free cash. Without property tax relief, the tax levy <br /> will reflect an increase of 13.33% over the previous year. <br /> Mr. Whritenour recommended that a contingency plan be developed in the event <br /> that the Governor's budget does not prevail. He suggested a Special Election <br /> override and/or a Special Town Meeting to reduce the overall budget of the Town <br /> be strongly considered <br />