Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Budget & Finance Subcommittee Meeting
A meeting of the Budget & Finance Subcommittee was held on Tuesday, April 25, 2018 at 6:00 pm in
the Coddington Building. Present were Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. Paul
Bregoli, Mr. Douglas Gutro, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Chair. Also attending were
Superintendent DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Dr. Beth Hallett, Mr. James
Mullaney, Ms. Maura Papile, Ms. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla; and Ms. Laura
Owens, Clerk.
Director of Business James Mullaney presented the Quarterly Budget review through the FY2018
third quarter ending March 31, 2018. Surpluses and deficits will be balanced and requests for
transfers made at the June 13, 2018 School Committee meeting. Through these transfers and with
Circuit Breaker funding, it is anticipated that all contractual and scheduled expenses can be
accommodated.
On the salary side Academic Classroom Teachers and Non-Academic Support categories have
surpluses of $181,990 and $313,593, respectively. Deficits in Academic Programs ($55,346) and
Academic Support ($158,117) will be offset by the surpluses. The net surplus on the salary side is
$282,120.00
Mr. Gutro asked about the deficit in the Academic Longevity line. Mr. Mullaney said this is the line to
payout for sick time for retiring teachers and the number of teachers retiring is higher than
anticipated. Mr. Mullaney said that the other large deficit is Special Education paraprofessionals,
where additional staff members are needed to meet the needs of the students. Dr. DeCristofaro said
there are new students and new student needs over the course of a school year.
On the expense side, there is a deficit of $987,853 in the Special Education tuition line and $92,475
on the Special Education transportation line. All open purchase orders are being reviewed to capture
available funds to address the deficit. There is savings in the natural gas line due to the more
efficient boilers operating at four schools. This will offset a projected deficit in the electricity line.
The net deficit on the expense side is $834,535, which will be partly offset by the surplus in salaries.
Mr. Mullaney said that Quincy Public Schools was denied extraordinary relief funds for Special
Education tuitions, but he is anticipating Circuit Breaker funding will cover the $552,000 deficit.
Mr. Mullaney updated School Committee on the replacement of vehicles, 9 have been purchased to
date and another 13 are on order from the $880,000 insurance settlement for the vehicles damaged
in the January storm.
Mrs. Hubley asked about open purchase orders, 186 are open from prior to January 1 and have
smaller amounts that may add up to more significant amount.
Mr. Gutro asked about the fund transfer that was made from Special Education salaries. Mr.
Mullaney said that was $900,000 and we have received $440,000 to date from Arbella. The funds will
be transferred back at the June 13, 2018 School Committee meeting as part of the reconciliation.
Mr. Gutro asked for clarification on the vehicles replaced. Mr. Mullaney said that 27 vehicles of
various ages were damaged, and are being replaced by 22 vehicles. Not all of the older vehicles were
used every day, some were spares. All anticipated routes will be covered by this fleet of new vehicles
and the four vans which were not damaged. Mr. Gutro noted that with this wholesale replacement,
all vehicles will be the same age, and in 10 years, Quincy Public Schools may again have to replace all
or many of the vehicles at the same time.
Mr. Gutro asked about the Special Education tuitions and the size of the deficit. Mr. Mullaney said
this is a unique situation, several students with high needs moved in during the school year and
Quincy is responsible for their tuitions. The Circuit Breaker funding from the state provides for a
varying level of reimbursement, and Mr. Mullaney is anticipating requesting an additional $2,500,000
for this tuition line in FY2019.
Mrs. Lebo asked for clarification on the solar billing, which has been anticipated for several years.
Mr. Mullaney said there is money encumbered from prior years. There are legal issues between the
City of Quincy and Solar City and this is holding up the settlement.
Mr. Bregoli asked how many students are currently in outside placements and the average tuition.
Mrs. Perkins said that there are 165 students outplaced and tuition can be $50,000 to several
hundred thousand dollars annually for students in full-time care. Mr. Bregoli asked about efforts to
bring students back into the school system. Mrs. Perkins said although the number of students is
somewhat flat, the severity of some of the students needs has increased. We make every effort to
bring students back to Quincy Public Schools whenever possible and appropriate.
Mrs. Lebo noted that our Pre-Kindergarten Special Education programs provide supports that prevent
outplacements at a young age. Mrs. Perkins said the support of paraprofessionals which is funded
through the QPS budget is key to the success of these programs.
Mr. Gutro asked if the Special Education tuition costs are regulated. Mrs. Perkins said the rates are
set by the state and there are annual increases approved by the state.
Mrs. Hubley noted that revised FY2019 Budget meeting dates were shared.
Mrs. Lebo made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 pm. Mr. Andronico seconded the motion
and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.