Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Quarterly Budget & Finance Subcommittee
April 11, 2017
A meeting of the Budget & Finance Subcommittee was held on Tuesday, , 2017 at 6:00 pm in the
Coddington Building. Present were Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. James DeAmicis, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley,
Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Anne Mahoney, and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Chair. Also attending were
Superintendent DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mr. James Mullaney, Mrs. Maura
Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla; and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Director of Business James Mullaney presented the Quarterly Budget review through the FY2017
third quarter ending March 31, 2017.
Quincy Public Schools has expended 57% of the salary budget year to date, and is projecting a surplus
of $670,039 due to unpaid Leaves of Absence for family, medical, and maternity issues, where
substitute teachers are covering for long-term absences. In this school year, there have been 10 nonmaternity leaves of absence and 25 maternity leaves. On the deficit side, Longevity, substitute
teachers, retirement-related expenditures at the Director level, and additional Special Education
aides total $512,965. Non-Academic Support has a surplus of $260,023 partly due to a shortage in
bus drivers and retirements where replacement hires are coming in at entry-level salaries. The total
surplus on the salary side of the budget is $429,868.
On the expense side, for Special Education tuitions and associated transportation, there is an
anticipated deficit of $500,000 for tuitions and $250,000 for associated transportation The utility
accounts represent the potential for savings, as possible savings on the electrical line have not been
realized as a reconciliation with Solar City for solar credits has not yet occurred.
With all line items reconciled, Quincy Public Schools is still within the FY2017 Budget. There is
$323,236 earmarked for textbook purchases before June 30 that can be applied to another budget
line if necessary.
Mrs. Mahoney asked for additional information about retirements in the custodial and transportation
lines. Mr. Mullaney clarified that Transportation has not been successful in replacing all of the retired
bus drivers due to the licensure requirements. On the custodial side, the number of FTE positions is
the same as was budgeted. Mrs. Mahoney asked about Special Education costs, there is a net
increase of 6 additional students above what was budgeted previously. Mrs. Mahoney asked for a
breakdown of Special Education student placements for the May Special Education Subcommittee
meeting.
Mrs. Lebo asked about the overlap between Special Education Directors and Mr. Mullaney clarified
that there was an overlap during the summer months and in addition, payment for accrued vacation
and sick days were due to the retiring Special Education Director.
Mrs. Lebo asked about the Solar City reconciliation. Mr. Mullaney said that the City Solicitor’s office is
involved in this, there have been issues with the metering and the installation of the system at some
locations. Mrs. Mahoney asked for an update on the Solar City issue as a topic for the Facilities &
Security Subcommittee. Mrs. Lebo also asked that the Hiring Practices be on a future Policy
Subcommittee meeting agenda.
Ms. Isola made a motion to accept the 3rd Quarter FY2017 Budget Report. Mrs. Hubley seconded the
motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.
Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 pm. Ms. Isola seconded the motion and
on a voice vote, the ayes have it.