Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Budget & Finance Subcommittee Meeting ~ May 26, 2021
A meeting of the Budget & Finance Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 5:30 pm at the Coddington Building. Present were Mr. Douglas Gutro, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mrs. Courtney Perdios, Mr. Frank Santoro, and Mayor Thomas P. Koch, School Committee and Subcommittee Chair. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Erin Perkins; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Director of Business James Mullaney presented the Quarterly Budget review through the FY2021 third quarter ending March 31, 2021. For Academic Classroom Teachers, there is an anticipated surplus of $240,481. For Academic Programs, there is an anticipated surplus of $205,608. For Academic Support, there are anticipated surpluses of $448,912, and Non-Academic Support $575,003. The total anticipated surplus for staffing is $1,470,004. Most of the surplus is due to unfilled positions for bus drivers and monitors, two unfilled nursing positions, and delayed hiring for administrative positions.
On the expense side, there are deficits for Academic and Non-Academic Expenses (Special Education Tuitions & Transportation and Electicity) that total $358,201. These deficits will be offset by the surplus on the staffing side. In the past, Rental revolving account surplus has funded electrical deficit but there was no income for Rentals this year.
Mrs. Lebo asked about additional electrical costs, Mr. Mullaney said schools have more technology devices, additional ventilation devices, and the electricity rates are higher.
Mr. Santoro noted that many of the buildings were running ventiliation 24 hours a day due to COVID-19 concerns.
Mrs. Perdios asked if the electricity line should be increased in the FY2022 Budget. Mr. Mullaney said that there is reserve funding available to supplement that line should there be overage next year.
Mrs. Lebo said that with all of the uncertainty of this year, it is amazing that there is a surplus. Mayor Koch said the CARES funding was a factor in covering many expenses.
Mrs. Perdios asked what happens to the budget surplus. Mr. Mullaney said that at the June 9 School Committee meeting, proposals for spending on textbooks and supplies will be presented and any additional funding will return to the City’s General Fund.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to approve the Quarterly Budget report as presented. Mr. Gutro seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it.
Mayor Koch reviewed that the FY2022 Quincy Public Schools Budget appropriation includes the complete Chapter 70 funding appropriation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Superintendent Mulvey thanked Mayor Koch and the Quincy City Council for the appropriation for Quincy Public Schools, which allows for level services and some areas of growth. In developing the draft budget, meetings were held with Superintendent’s Leadership and Principal Team members to prioritize areas of increase, opportunities for shifting and reduction. The proposed FY2022 QPS Budget is $120,290,181, an increase of over $3 million dollars over FY2021. The budget is from three sources: the Mayor’s Appropriation of $114,290,181, projected Circuit Breaker funding of $5 million dollars, and CARES Act funding of $1 million. In addition to the direct appropriation, the City of Quincy budget carries $62,238,561 in funding related to Quincy Public Schools, including health insurance, maintenance and improvements, and debt service for new construction and renovations. Over the past 10 years, per pupil expenditures have continued to grow with an average of $16,273. The proposed budget also includes contractual step and level raises; percentage raises are being held in a general city fund in anticipation of negotiations concluding. Funds available for budget building are $2,119,591 to address class size, increase academic program and supports.
For Academic Classroom Teachers, the proposal is to increase 2.0 FT positions to address class size needs. For Academic Program Teachers, the proposal is to add 2.0 FT Elementary Academic Talent teachers; 0.5 Art Teacher, 1.0 ELL Teacher, 1.0 Grade 10 Health Teacher (new for NQHS, convert 1 QHS Health Interventionist to Health Teacher), 0.5 Music Teacher, 1.5 CVTE positions (three 0.5 positions at for program expansion for NQHS Carpentry and QHS & NQHS Occupational Health), and 2.0 Special Education teachers (CARES). For Academic Support, 2.0 Paraprofessionals for Family Liaison to assist Central Registration with welcoming families and connecting to schools. No changes for Non-Academic Support.
For the Subsidized Services, there are no changes for Food Services (all meal costs will be waived for the 2021-2022 school year due to the USDA reimbursement), School Building Rentals (recommending no change in rates), Transportation (recommending no change in rates), and Athletics (recommending no changes in fees). There was very little revenue in any of these accounts for the FY2021, as there were no Transportation fees, Building Rentals, or School Meal charges. For Athletics, User Fees were still collected but there were no gate receipts for Athletics events.
For Academic Expenses, the recommendation is to add $1 million to the Special Education tuition line and $500,000 for Special Education translation, including a subscription to 24-hour translation services online. There are no recommended increases for Non-Academic Expenses.
In summary, the proposed FY2022 has an increase of 12.5 positions (29%) and $1.5 million in expenses (71%).
Mr. Gutro fully supports the increased expenditures for Special Education and the Family Liaison positions. Mr. Gutro asked for clarification on the High School Health Teacher positions and the implementation of the DOVE curriculum. Ms. Perkins said that currently, NQHS has one Health Interventionist and QHS has two. Under the budget proposal, there would be one Health Teacher at each high school to teach the Flash curriculum and integrate the DOVE program in a Grade 10 Health class. The High School Health teachers would also coordinate with the middle school Health staff members.
Mrs. Perdios agreed that both the Health positions and noted that the Family Liaisons were advocated by parents and the Citywide Parent Council. Mrs. Perdios asked how the Family Liaisons can support school PTOs. Ms. Perkins said they could be translators for meetings and documents and events along with assisting parents to be active members of the school community.
Mrs. Perdios asked for clarification on the number of employees, some are grant funded. There are an estimated 1400 QPS employees.
Mrs. Lebo thanked Mayor Koch, the City Council, and the taxpayers of Quincy for their support of Quincy Public Schools. Mrs. Lebo would like to discuss additional expenditures for curriculum. Mrs. Lebo supports the expansion of the CVTE programs to ensure all interested students can enroll in the program of their choice.
Mrs. Lebo is concerned about the Academically Talented program expansion, typically there are up to 80 students invited to the Grade 5 program. Ms. Perkins said the expansion allows for the top 20% of each school to participate at their school site. Mrs. Lebo asked about Grades 3 and 4, Ms. Perkins said these students would receive an hour per week for advanced content. The priority would be Grade 5 programming. Mrs. Lebo would like to see effort and funds expended into raising the performance of elementary students who have EL or Special Education. Ms. Perkins said this will increase opportunity for students who don’t typically have the performance to be qualified for the advanced program.
Mrs. Perdios said that there are students who are above grade level that have not traditionally been served by this program and this expansion can address that.
Mr. Santoro said these teachers will be a resource for all elementary staff members, assist them with reaching the higher performing students.
Mr. Santoro hopes that the Family Liaisons will be out at schools actively working with families.
Mayor Koch noted that the FY2022 Quincy Public Schools Budget Public Hearing is scheduled for June 2 at 5:30 pm.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 pm. Mr. Santoro seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.