Approval of Records
February 25, 2002
Natick Public Schools
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
February 11, 2002
The School Committee held a meeting on Monday, February 11, 2002 at 7:15 p.m. in the School Committee Room, Town Hall. Chairwoman Broekel called the School Committee meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
Members Present: Peg Broekel, Michael Cashman, Henry Haugland, Diane Packer, Ted Wynne, Kristine Van Amsterdam
Others present: James J. Connolly Superintendent
Patrick Schettini Assistant Superintendent
Audrey Seyffert Assistant Superintendent
Sharon Reilly Recording Secretary
MEETING WITH BOARD OF SELECTMEN TO DISCUSS FY2003 BUDGET
The School Committee moved its meeting to the Selectmen’s Meeting Room to hold a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen to discuss options, including fees, to address the shortfall in the FY2003 budget. Mr. Freedman joined the meeting at this time.
Mr. Connolly provided an overview of the school department’s FY2003 budget request. The original budget request for the Natick Public Schools is $33,796,328 which is up $2,098,904 or 6.62% from FY02.
Mr. Connolly reviewed some proposed budget reductions and fee increases for the FY2003 budget that the School Committee has been discussing which would reduce its budget request by $320,000. In addition, he discussed other areas that the School Committee is considering to cut:
· the funds allocated for additional sports at Natick High School such as golf, skiing & lacrosse
· middle school sports programs
· transportation other than that mandated (K-6 over two miles)
With these additional cuts, the school department’s original FY2003 budget request would be reduced by $687K.
Mr. Hughes, Chair of the Board of Selectmen, discussed what other departments in the town are doing:
DPW – looking to raise $80K at recycling center
Possibility of implementing a trash fee
Police – eliminating two cadet positions that were to be added
Fire – cuts in the amount of $270K
DPW – cuts in the amount of $260K
Chairman Hughes made reference to a memorandum that was given to the Board of Selectmen this evening from Mr. Robert Palmer which provided an overview on trash fee structures. Chairman Hughes indicated that a Pay-As-You-Throw Program could not be implemented for the upcoming fiscal year and that a flat fee structure appears to be the only timely method for the short time.
Some comments/concerns raised were:
· Concern over sufficient parking at Natick High School for students’ personal vehicles, if transportation were cut
· Concern over maintenance of sidewalks for walkers
· The need to have Police Department’s involvement as to the potential need for additional crossing guards
· Is there any savings in combining Town & Schools building maintenance?
Chair Broekel invited interested parties to the School Committee meeting of February 25 where the School Committee’s proposed reductions, including transportation, will be discussed. When asked when the Selectmen would be addressing trash fees, Chairman Hughes responded that they would be addressing them at their next meeting, also on February 25.
At 8:10 p.m. the School Committee returned to the School Committee Room, third floor, Town Hall.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
James J. Connolly
Superintendent
Secretary to the School Committee
By: Sharon Reilly
Recording Secretary
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