Sept. 15, 2010 Budget Sub Meeting

Quincy School Committee
Budget Subcommittee

Mrs. Anne Mahoney, Chairman
September 15, 2010
6:00 p.m.
Agenda

  1. Review of the Fy11 Budget Status

  2. Federal Education Job Funding and FY11 Chapter 70 Program.

Minutes

Budget Subcommittee

September 15, 2010

A Budget Subcommittee meeting was held on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall. Present were: Ms. Isola, Mrs. Lebo, Mr. McCarthy, Mrs. Bragg, Mayor Koch and Mrs. Mahoney, Chair. Also present were: Dr. DeCristofaro, Mr. Mullaney, Ms. Jill Gichuhi, Ms. Colleen Roberts, Keith Segalla, and Mrs. Burrelli, Clerk.

Mr. Mullaney reviewed the status of the FY11 Budget since last June. Overall, 118.6 positions are no longer in the budget. From an operational standpoint, Mr. Mullaney said we are in pretty good shape and have a good class size over all. There are no significant deficits. He is closely monitoring the budget and will have the quarterly budget report in October. From a budget standpoint, Mr. Mullaney again reported that we are in good shape.

The Committee inquired about the new Federal money the City is going to get back. Quincy is expecting $1.3 million in an educational job grant and $101,000 in stabilization money. The $1.4 million was not anticipated when this budget was made. The $101,000 has to be spent this year. The $1.3 million does not have to be spent until the first quarter of 2013.

The Committee then discussed how and when they should use these funds.

Mr. Mullaney will meet with Mr. Puleo in October or November to review the unemployment figures and see if we will realize any additional funds from calling people back.

The Superintendent said he would like the Committee’s direction and then he will come back to them with his decisions. We will need $3.5 million next year for contract raises.

Mrs. Bragg requested that she would like to see the money used to bring back the office aides. She is concerned that this is a safety issue.

Ms. Isola would like to start discussing full day Kindergarten and instituting payment.

Mayor Koch expressed concern with the state elections in November. He urged the Committee to take it slowly.

Mr. McCarthy suggested holding off and put the money in the bank. Use it if there are some glaring needs, otherwise he would sit tight. He would like to see the money used for reading teachers and technology at the middle schools.

Mrs. Mahoney cautioned about spending some of the money this year, but be mindful of the future. We should do some analysis. The new high school needs some support. Also, we need to know the projections are for the City side.

Mr. Mullaney said this is Chapter 70 money and comes to the schools as a grant. It can’t be used on the City side. We used the ARRA money for the literacy teachers. There will be $2 million we won’t have next year.

The RTTT money is a closed issue. Quincy did not fulfill the obligation to the state.

The Transportation fee brought in $45,000. We were expecting $70,000 and we will be $30,000 short in that area. The number of Free and Reduced lunches went up this year.

The Committee asked the Superintendent to put together some strong needs and share them with the Committee before they take any action.

The Superintendent cautioned that we will get $3.6 million but we lose $2 million in ARRA money. We know we will have to come up with $5.6 million in the future. He thanked the Committee for their discussion. He will keep in touch with them regarding this budget.

On a motion by Mrs. Bragg, seconded by Mrs. Lebo, the Budget Subcommittee adjourned at 6:40 p.m.