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[The following Westborough School Committee meeting minutes, posted 5/14/10 on the district site, were copied on 16-May-2010.  Minor differences in formatting do occur, please access the district site if you desire an official, formal copy -- webmaster]

WESTBOROUGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE

WESTBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS

MINUTES

Wednesday                                                                                                                                            April 14, 2010

The Westborough School Committee meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman, Karen Henderson.  Committee members present included Mr. Bruce Tretter, Mr. Craig Harris, Mr. Stephen Doret and Mrs. Ilyse Levine-Kanji. Administrators present included Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Daniel Hendricks and Principal, Pattie Berkey.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

MINUTES

Upon a motion by Mr. Tretter, seconded by Mrs. Levine-Kanji, the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of approving the minutes of April 7, 2010.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Afeefa reported those seniors scheduled to start the High School Quest program are finishing their final exams.  Report cards for the third quarter are due out April 16, and spring break is next week.  The Darfur Club is hosting an ice cream social April 15 in the lobby.  Simran Bimrah, a member of the Speech and Debate Club, placed third at States in the group debate and received the top novice award for her first year.

Mr. Tretter announced the Land Trust will be sponsoring its 12^th Annual Clean Up Day April 24.  Meeting places include Bellows Road and Westmeadow Plaza at 6:30 a.m. and Lake Chauncy at 9:00 a.m.  New Hope Chapel and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will be providing refreshments and trash bags.

Mrs. Levine-Kanji reminded the community Town Meeting occurs May 15 at 1:00 p.m.  The Mill Pond School is among the finalists under consideration for the National School of Character Award.  Site visits have occurred.  Congratulations to the Principal and entire staff and students for the pride in their school.

Mrs. Henderson reported the Committee met with the Finance Committee on April 12 and presented its proposed budget and Warrant Article.

REPORTS

BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS

Mr. Hendricks reported the proposed FY11 budget presented to the Finance Committee has a 2.62% increase over last year.  It contains three positions deemed necessary for next year and a level service program.  Credit should be given to the Unions for helping the district get through difficult times with the state funding.  The House Ways and Means Committee today released its budget which indicates a 4% reduction to the state funding. That budget is $400 million dollars less than the Governor’s recommended budget.

Mr. Hendricks will prepare a draft of an informational book for Town Meeting with a detailed explanation of the Expense budget.  Expenses are up $710,717 (9.63%) due to the reductions in state and federal aid. IDEA-ARRA has been reduced by $406,252, the Federal Stimulus funding reduced by $99,127 and the Circuit Breaker by $31,256.   The entire budget is up $866,807 (2.62%).  Salaries/Wages are up 0.50%.

Mrs. Henderson stated credit should be given to the administration, principals, staff and students for making the necessary reductions in all areas of the budget.   At some point, these reductions year after year will start taking its toll on the school programs.  Union negotiations have kept the district from the deficit it had last year.  This has had a very positive effect on the bottom line.  Health insurance costs have been controlled and decreased.

Mrs. Henderson requested the Out of District student numbers.

School Committee Meeting                                                                                                                                           2.

April 14, 2010

Mr. Hendricks pointed out another unknown is the Title I funding.  It may become more competitive according to the President.  Mr. Hendricks detailed the payment receipts of the state and federal monies.

Mr. Doret added the Committee has tried to reduce the impact reductions have on the students.  Dealing with the shortfall of the state and the required state mandates, the Committee is limited as to how far it can go and still support a quality education for the children.

Mr. Hendricks reported the Revolving Accounts are on target.  These include the athletic gate receipts, school lunch, activity fees, summer school tuition and student activity accounts.  He noted some outside groups are not using the school facilities due to the increase in user fees.

MOTION

Mr. Tretter made a motion to ratify the Secretaries contract.  Mr. Doret seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

Brigitte Casemyr, member of the Finance Committee, stated that based on a 5% decrease in state funding, the town is a little over $200,000 with a level service budget, from reaching the 2-1/2% levy level.  That includes the use of $1 million dollars of free cash.

The School Committee will meet April 28 and May 5.

RECOGNITION OF STUDENT

Mr. Tretter recognized and congratulated David McCauley for being selected by the Quinn Conference to receive the 2010 Boston Bruins/MIAA Sportsmanship Award.  David was captain of the Varsity Hockey team this year.  The award is given annually by the Boston Bruins to one individual who best shows sportsmanship in ice hockey.  The award was presented at the Bruins game April 1.

At 7:00 p.m. the Committee took a short recess.  At 7:10 p.m. the meeting resumed.

PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING

MOTION

At 7:10 p.m. Mr. Tretter made a motion to open the Public Budget Hearing.  Mr. Doret seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

Mr. Hendricks reported an FY11 Budget of $39,282,335.  This figure includes restoring three positions, for an increase of 2.62%.  Mr. Doret added the Salaries/Wages are $31,190,761 and Expenses $8,091.574.  No member of the public came forward to speak on the matter of the budget.

At 7:12 p.m. upon a motion by Mr. Tretter, seconded by Mr. Doret, the Committee voted 5-0 to close the public budget hearing.

MOTION

Mr. Tretter made a motion to approve the FY11 Budget figure of $39,282,335.  Mr. Harris seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor of the motion.

MOTION

At 7:15 p.m. Mr. Tretter made a motion to enter Executive Session under Chapter 30, Section 21 for the purpose of discussing negotiations.  Mr. Harris seconded the motion and the Committee voted 5-0 in favor by roll call vote.

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April 14, 2010

The Committee returned to Open Session at 7:20 p.m., and signed bills.  Upon a motion by Mr. Tretter and a second by Mrs. Levine-Kanji the Committee voted 5-0 to adjourn at 7:21 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted

Ilyse Levine-Kanji

Secretary

These minutes are as recorded by the secretary to the school committee and do not become an official part of the record until so noted in a subsequent record.