Minutes
Quincy School Committee Budget & Finance Subcommittee Meeting ~ May 22, 2023
A meeting of the Budget & Finance Subcommittee was held on Monday, May 22, 2023 at 6:00 pm at the Coddington Building. Present were Mr. Paul Bregoli, Ms. Tina Cahill, Mr. Doug Gutro, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Mrs. Emily Lebo, Mr. Frank Santoro, and Mayor Thomas P. Koch, Subcommittee Chair. Also attending were Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent Erin Perkins, Ms. Kim Connolly, Ms. Allison Cox, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Julie Graham, Mr. James Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Mayor Koch reviewed that the draft FY2024 Quincy Public Schools Budget was presented to School Committee at the May 17 meeting and opened the meeting up for discussion.
Per School Committee’s request, Mr. Mullaney also shared the ESSER expenditures for the FY2022 and FY2023 school years. There is still over $3 million available for FY2024 and the funds will be allocated for after school programs, summer programs, highly-qualified substitute teachers, tutors, COTA Assistant Therapists, and substitute nurses.
Mr. Santoro asked for consideration for creating a special program for students entering Grade 9 who are having issues difficulty transitioning to high school. In the past, there was a program called New Start and the middle schools identified candidates for this self-contained program. Mr. Santoro suggested that if the program cannot be accommodated in the current appropriation for the FY2024 budget, perhaps there is grant funding that can be secured.
Mrs. Lebo asked for and received confirmation that there are ESSER funds for FY2024, all funds must be expended by September 30, 2024.
Mr. Gutro asked about how many positions are funded under ESSER, Mr. Mullaney said two Security, two Family Liaisons, and three Guidance positions. These positions will need to be absorbed in the FY2025 QPS Budget. No new positions were added this year funded out of ESSER funding.
Mr. Bregoli asked if we are anticipating layoffs for FY2025. Mayor Koch said that we have been careful to keep the ESSER expenditures focused on short-term commitments and not added a large number of positions.
Mr. Bregoli asked about Chromebooks purchases going forward, Superintendent Mulvey said the servicing and replacement will be built into future budgets.
Mr. Bregoli noted another long-term budget consideration is expanding the Protective Services program at North Quincy High School.
Mrs. Cahill asked if there may be a shift in expenditures between textbooks and technology, Mr. Mullaney said that online textbooks and resources are already being purchased from the textbook line, while the technology line is for software and operating systems.
Mrs. Cahill asked about the Pre-Kindergarten play area at Point Webster, Mayor Koch said that grant funding is being sought to upgrade this area by the Department of Natural Resources.
Mr. Gutro asked about a potential increase in Chapter 70 funding, Mr. Mullaney clarified that the funding goes into the General Fund and is part of the City’s appropriation for education. DESE’s recommendation is that districts budget based on historical data as the additional appropriation is not guaranteed.
Mr. Bregoli asked about the revenue from sports betting, Mayor Koch said it is unclear how this will be shared with cities and towns, the state’s overall revenue is below projections for the year currently.
Mr. Gutro made a motion to move the FY2024 Quincy Public Schools Budget as presented to the full School Committee for Public Hearing on May 31. Mr. Santoro seconded the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 7-0.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 pm. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.