Schools take another hit
By Shawn on Jun 29, 2009 in Massachusetts, Schools
The latest talk around the campfires this weekend was that the figures from the state that came to the town after the conference committee completed its job and the budget was sent on to the Governor to be signed showed another cut of $600,000 to Chapter 70 school aid.
Town Manager Dennis Piendak notified the school committee once he heard, but it was after they had already authorized Superintendent Spencer Mullin to send out recall notices to many of the teachers who received layoff notices.
The town, they were informed, would absorb $200,000 of the cuts. The schools, however will have to make up the remaining $400,000.
From what I hear, the option is there for the schools to come back to town meeting in the fall to ask for an additional appropriation to make up the difference. On the other hand, others are saying “where would money that come from?” and they should prepare for the additional cuts now so that they are not overwhelming during the second half of the next school year.
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Victor A. Olson | Jun 30, 2009 | Reply
Conference Committee Budget Revisions:
Changes in the Chapter 70 formula input for a lower inflation rate resulted in a 2 percent reduction in foundation requirements and Chapter 70 state aid. Stimulus (Stabilization Grant) funding was identified to offset reduction to school foundation budgets(Chapter 70 and Minimum contribution cuts).
In the case of the GL-Tech school the total budget was cut nearly 2%($613,975). FY-10 SFSF – Stabilization Grant totals $552,397 leaving $61,578 shortfall in foundation budget.
The state transportation reimbursment was also cut an additional $354,242 which increased the transportation assessment from all the member communities from $422,655 to $776,897. This would have increased the transportation assessment to Dracut from $72,110 to $132,548.
The School Board previously voted to not assess transportation in FY-10 to assist member communities and will apply $776,897 of additional excess and deficiency budget to offset this expense. In addition, changes in the Chapter 70 mininimum required contributions included reductions in the amount of $193,329 for all member communities with Dracut’s reduction at $55,744.
The School Board voted last night to recertify the budget which results in an assessment to Dracut at $127,854 less than the amount originally requested based on the preliminary budget. This amount exceeds the amount requested by Town manager of $100,000 reduction. A major draw down of the excess and defiency funds was required this year to offset the transportation assessment to the member communities at $776,897 which will leave less funds available to address future cuts and assessments. Revised assessment letters are forthcoming to member communities.