Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Budget & Finance Subcommittee Meeting
A meeting of the Budget & Finance Subcommittee was held on Monday, January 28, 2019 at 6:05 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Mayor Thomas P. Koch, Mr. Anthony Andronico, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mr. Douglas Gutro, Mrs. Emily Lebo, and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Subcommittee Vice-Chair. Also attending were Superintendent DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, and Mr. James Mullaney.
Director of Business James Mullaney presented the Quarterly Budget review through the FY2019 second quarter ending December 31, 2018. Quincy Public Schools has expended approximately 30% of the salary budget year to date, in line with historical expenditure levels. Mr. Mullaney reviewed the detail for 26-week, 40-week, and 52-week employees, with each account being at the appropriate level for this time of year. Anticipated surpluses for Academic Classroom and Program Teachers will offset anticipated deficits in the Special Educational Paraprofessional and Tutorial line items. All salary accounts are sufficiently funded to meet contract obligations and step and level raises.
On the expense side, for Special Education tuitions and associated transportation, there is approximately 60% of the budget remaining. Overall, expenses are at appropriate levels for this time of year. Funds are available for textbook purchases in late spring, the newest editions will be available beginning in April. Mr. Mullaney is expecting there to be a surplus at year end and this may allow for additional textbook and classroom furniture purchases.
For Non-Academic Expenses, utility expenditures are on track for the year to date. The deficit in the Transportation line will be offset by anticipated savings in Special Education tuitions above.
Mr. Bregoli asked about the bus driver hourly rate and whether this is an issue in securing new drivers. Mr. Mullaney said this is a problem for school districts and private companies alike, there are special endorsements required to drive the larger buses.
Mr. Andronico asked about the additional Special Education aides, should we have budgeted for these positions last spring. Mr. Mullaney said these are difficult to anticipate as student needs change.
Mr. Bregoli said that students also move into Quincy with IEPs that require individual aides, another factor in budgeting.
Mrs. Lebo asked whether there is difficulty in getting candidates for the Special Education Aide positions. Dr. DeCristofaro said that Ms. Perkins is finding highly qualified candidates through SchoolSpring, many with Bachelor’s degrees and Special Education backgrounds.
Mr. Gutro said this sounds like a matter of timing, the budget is built in the spring and students with Special Education needs may move in after July 1. Mr. Gutro requested an analysis of Special Education expenditures, is there a demonstrated savings by using aides within the classrooms versus sending students to outside placements.
Mrs. Lebo said that Quincy Public Schools has always fundamentally believed that students staying in the school system with one-on-one supports is the preferred way of assisting Special Education students when appropriate.
Mr. Gutro asked about the salary surplus for Academic Classroom and Program teachers, are there open positions. Mr. Mullaney said the savings are partly due to unpaid medical or maternity leaves of absence, where a long-term substitute is covering the position.
Mr. Andronico made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 pm. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.