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Home My WebLink AboutFINAL SC Min_ February 4th 2020 _1_.pdf FINAL February 4,2020 MINUTES MINUTEMAN REGIONAL VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET HEARING AND REGULAR SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2020 6:30 PM PAUL REVERE ROOM, MINUTEMAN HIGH SCHOOL Present: Pam Nourse, Chair(Acton) Jeff Stulin, Vice-Chair(Needham) Dave Horton, Secretary(Lexington) Alice DeLuca(Stow) Steve LeDoux (Concord) Ford Spalding(Dover) David O'Connor(Bolton) Jennifer Leone (Lancaster) Sue Sheffler(Arlington) Jim Gammill (Belmont) Absent: None Weighted Vote: Weighted Vote present at start of meeting: 100% Others Present: Dr. Bob Gerardi, Michelle Shepard, and Julia Pisegna BUDGET HEARING ON PROPOSED FY21 BUDGET 1. CALL TO ORDER: OPEN SESSION a. Presentation on Proposed FY21 Budget,Dr. Bob Gerardi The Chair called the Budget Hearing on the proposed FY21 Budget to order at 6:30 PM. The Director of Finance reviewed the guiding values to managing our success, the school wide goals 2020-21, fulfilled expectations, new programs to meet the needs of the 21st Century, Minuteman Technical Institute, increasing enrollment, and the challenges of the district now and in the future. He described the overall budget focus and outlined the details of the capital/debt service, provided a budget history, discussed increased enrollment and the new admissions numbers. He reviewed the revenue plan, outlined the FY21 budget member town assessments, described the impact of Belmont's withdrawal, major expenditure by State function code, reviewed the major drivers in the budget, staffing changes, capital/debt service allocation, and the non-assessment revenue. Mr. Gammill, Chair of the Finance Committee, noted that the Finance Committee has reviewed the budget at length. Dr. Gerardi thanked the Finance Committee and the Executive Team for their work in preparation of this budget, as well as Business Manager Michelle Shepard. The presentation materials can be found as Attachment A. 1 b. Public Comment on Proposed FY 21 Budget There was no Public Comment on the proposed FY21 Budget. 2. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the following vote was then taken: ACTION 2020# Moved(Leone) and seconded(Spalding) To adjourn the Public Hearing on the Proposed FY21 budget at 6:51 p.m. VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 100% Weight needed: > 50.00% Names of towns opposing or abstaining: none Final percentage results of vote: 100% Final status of the vote: Unanimous REGULAR MEETING 1. CALL TO ORDER: OPEN SESSION The Chair called the regular meeting to order at 7:01 p.m., following the adjournment of the Budget Hearing. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no Public Comment. 3. CHAIR'S REPORT,Pam Nourse a. Comments for the Good of the Organization None. 4. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT, Ed Bouquillon 1. Chapter 74 Regulations Update Dr. Bouquillon shared that the public hearing window on proposals to update the regulations has closed. The District expressed their concerns regarding the criteria for admission to vocational schools and the letter was shared with MAVA and others. We expect action to be taken during the month of March. The exploratory framework revisions and set of standards that all schools must abide by will provide a level of quality for the exploratory program experience. Dr. Bouquillon also shared that he is scheduled to meet with officials from the City of Cambridge on February 5th 7. PRINCIPAL'S REPORT, George Clement None. 2 8. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE'S REPORT,Dr. Robert Gerardi a. Approval of FY21 Budget and Preliminary Assessments Dr. Gerardi reviewed the Executive Summary and provided an overview of the FY21 budget, focusing on the debt services, instructional and facilities expenses, and other fiscal matters such as OPEB, health insurance, contract negotiations, transportation and security services in the new building. Dr. Gerardi also discussed the total assessments to member towns which is an increase of 9.34% over last year's assessment, due in part to the increase in enrollment and the impact of debt on the budget, as well as the impact of Belmont's withdrawal as a member of the district on these assessments for the remaining nine member-towns. Mr. Gammill discussed the option of utilizing the capital fees to offset member capital debt by applying the stabilization funds to offset future debt. He also suggested that the new line of current year non-resident fees be included as a supplemental allocation to the Stabilization Fund of $615,000. Mr. Gammill made a motion to utilize the stabilization funds, seconded by Mr. LeDoux. After further discussion and members asking clarifying questions relative to the stabilization fund and the budget, Mr. Gammill withdrew his motion. Committee Chair, Pam Nourse, noted that this item will be discussed at a future School Committee meeting. Mr. Stulin commented on the budget, the school being full with a smaller percentage of out-of- district students and the concern of possible additional increases as we settle into the new building with in-district students and the need to have discussions with member towns. ACTION 2020# Moved (DeLuca) and seconded(Stulin) To approve the Preliminary Budget, Preliminary Assessments and Use of E&D VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 100% Weight needed: > 50.00% Names of towns opposing or abstaining: none Final percentage results of vote: 100% Final status of the vote: Unanimous ACTION 2020# Moved(DeLuca) and seconded(Stulin) To approve the FY21 Preliminary assessments of$17,337,416.00 VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 100% Weight needed: > 50.00% Names of towns opposing or abstaining: none 3 Final percentage results of vote: 100% Final status of the vote: Unanimous Ms. Deluca noted that we can lower these figures, but we cannot raise them. ACTION 2020# Moved(Stulin) and seconded(Leone) To authorize $540,000 from the certified E&D to reduce member town assessments for the FY21 budget VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 100% Weight needed: > 50% Names of towns opposing or abstaining: none Final percentage results of vote: 100% Final status of the vote: Unanimous Committee Chair Ms. Nourse, thanked the administration and the Finance Committee for all their hard work and effort on the budget. 9. SCHOOL BUILDING REPORT, Ford Spalding Mr. Spalding provided a building project update and noted that to date, there are 482 punch list items to inspect, 128 remain open, 116 have not been approved, and 3,371 items have been closed. He shared that work was scheduled to be done during the winter and spring breaks. Mr. Spalding also shared with Committee members that the Temporary Certificate of Occupancy is expected next week for the theater, and that demolition of the old building is now two months behind schedule due to the unresponsiveness of Eversource. Mr. Spalding shared that the project is 93.1% complete and 97.3% committed and on budget, and at the end of the project, we anticipate $2 million remaining. Mr. Spalding described the plans from Kastle Boos for the athletic fields, and that Dr. Bouquillon continues to explore options and alternative funding for the field project, as well as revenue generating options. 10. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Strategic Planning Taskforce,Sue Sheffler Ms. Sheffler shared the School Committee held their workshop and the meeting was very productive. Ms. Sheffler thanked Dr. Perreault and Mr. Clement for their time and work on the meeting. Ms. Sheffler noted that a comprehensive report is forthcoming. 10. SECRETARY'S REPORT, Dave Horton a. Approval of Draft Minutes of January 14, 2020 and the following vote was taken: ACTION 2020# Moved(Horton) and seconded(Leone) To approve the draft minutes of January 14, 2020, as presented 4 VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 100% Weight needed: > 50.00% Names of towns opposing or abstaining: Needham Final percentage results of vote: 91.82% Final status of the vote: Passed 11. POSSIBLE EXECUTIVE SESSION Dr. Bouquillon shared that there was no need for Executive Session. 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the School Committee took the following vote: ACTION 2020# Moved(Leone) and seconded (Sheffler) To adjourn the meeting at 7:55 PM VOTE: 10 members in room at time of vote Weighted Vote present: 100% Weight needed: > 50.00% Names of towns opposing or abstaining: none Final percentage results of vote: 100% Final status of the vote: Unanimous Respectfully submitted, Julia Pisegna Dave Horton District Assistant Secretary 5