2015-03-AC-ATM-rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

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AC–2015ATM PPROPRIATIONOMMITTEE For the first time since 2007, FY2015 school bus ridership exceeded 3100 riders. The three-tier on-line registration process achieved its goal. The School Committee continues to support a 44% fee subsidy to- wards the total cost per seat. More detailed information about the School Committee recommended budget is available at: http://lps.lexingtonma.org/Page/5278 FundsFunding RequestedSource Program 1200: RegionalSchools $1,202,814GF The Minuteman Regional High School (MRHS) Committee has accepted an FY2016 budget of $19,831,003, an $185,938 increase (0.95%) over FY2015. This increase consists of a 0.48% decrease in the costs of operations and a 9.5% increase in capital and debt costs. This budget will begin the school’s transition to a reduced high school enrollment of 628 students as well as begin a four-year educational plan conversion to a Career Academy model of education. The goal is to create a smaller school with a higher percentage of in-district students that can still offer a diverse and high quality selection of relevant education and training opportunities, preparing the district to occupy a new or renovated school. Due to a lack of consensus among the District member towns, the school still remains unable to initiate their Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) approved renovations program. This project pro- cess is in its seventh year and the delays have prompted the New England Association of Schools and Colleges to keep MRHS on “Warning Status” for having failed to make progress under the Facilities Standard. MSBA has signaled that unless the project begins to progress towards construction, the funding will be lost. The disagreement amongst the member towns has also created a situation where the District is being forced to reinvest in building systems that are approaching their end-of-life. A serious roadblock for the school renovation is the number of out-of-district students (almost 45% of the school population) and the fact that their tuition (set by the State) covers operating expenses only. New regulations adopted by the Massachusetts Board of Education will enable the school to incorporate a new facilities fee for out-of-district students to fund a portion of the capital renovation program. Last year member communities were asked to accept a new Regional Agreement to address some of these concerns. Although accepted by Lexington’s Town Meeting, it was not accepted district-wide and it will be on the Town Meeting agendas of those towns. However since last year’s votes, the MRHS School Committee voted to reduce the size of the District to 628 students, more closely aligning it with in-district enrollment needs. This budget assumes a smaller high school population, a decline due to the large size of the 2015 graduat- ing class. Staffing changes include reductions in administration positions which net out to a 0.5 FTE, a transfer of a net 2.5 FTE teaching staff from a grant program, a reduction of 1.0 FTE teaching staff, a 0.5 FTE reduction in guidance, and the elimination of 6 coaching positions. The school also anticipates fur- ther enrollment dependent staff changes. Salaries, which make up 62% of the operating budget, increased $101,891 (0.9%). The $1,367,226 transportation contract expires on 6/30/15 and a 3% increase is being budgeted for FY2016. Health insurance premiums are increasing 3% and a $50,000 payment will be made against the District’s $21,900,000 Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) liability. Infrastructure renewal contin- ues with an annual capital budget of $590,000, which includes a $100,000 contribution to their stabiliza- tion fund. As of October 1, 2014, 683 full-time students were enrolled. Roughly 57% of these students are from in- district towns and 43% are from out-of-district towns. The District School Committee has maintained its earlier position not to accept school choice students at MRHS. Total full-time enrollment decreased by 42 students (6%) consisting of an in-district enrollment decrease of 25 students (6%) and out-of-district en- 8