2008 AC Rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2008 ATM —March 19, 2008 In FY2008, however, the school administration (1) expanded the three programs mentioned above, (2) launched a new middle school Developmental Learning Program (DLP), and (3) expanded a high school Language Learning Program (LLP). These five programs combined are now projected to cost $796,724 in FY2008 while saving $2,611,359, for a net savings of $1,814,635. This savings is $949,328 more than originally projected. The Committee unanimously (8 -0) supports this request. Description Amount Funding Committee Recommends Requested Source Minuteman Regional High $1,510,598 GF Approve (8-0) School Over the last three years there has been significant annual growth in the Minuteman Regional High School (MRHS) assessment. The FY2007 growth was 15 %, the FY2008 growth was 18% and the FY2009 growth is 26 %. The growth is due to increases in the number of Lexington students attending MRHS and to decreases in the overall in- district and out -of- district student populations. It is not due to extraordinary growth in the district's expenditures. Enrollment figures as of October 1, 2007 (in the 2007 -2008 school year) are used for the FY2009 school year (2008 -2009) assessments. On that date there were 648 full -time students, a decrease of 45 students (- 6.5 %). The school served a total of 847 full -time equivalent (FTE) full and part -time students, down from 882 FTEs (4%). The school population is roughly 65% from in- district towns and 34% from out -of- district towns. There are no "Choice" students attending. In- district enrollment decreased by 24 students (- 5.4 %). Out -of- district enrollment levels decreased by 21 students (- 8.5 %). Special Education students comprise 40.7% of the FTE enrollment. The MRHS School Committee has accepted a budget for FY2009 of $17,446,884. This year the costs of the Middle School Literacy program are being directly charged to the five participating communities (Lexington is not one), leaving an operating budget of $17,001,622 (a $255,853 or 1.5% budget increase over current year). Last year's increase was 3.8 %. Salaries, which make up 61% of the budget, decreased $142,010 (- 1.3 %). Due to reduced enrollment, the school has reduced academic staff by 4.5 FTEs, yet in response to higher Special Education demands, academic competency reporting, and mandated student occupational certification; it has had to maintain support and administrative staffing levels. Higher energy prices continue to affect heating, power, and student transportation. The school continues its commitment to infrastructure renewal with an annual capital budget of $250,000. Member towns' assessments are used to fund the portion of the budget that is not funded by the combination of: 1) all other projected revenues and 2) member towns' State Required Minimum (SRM) per - student payments. Member towns are assessed for the upcoming year based on their student enrollment in the current year. This year the unfunded portion of the after - school education program offered to middle school students will be absorbed inside of the regular assessment, and not assessed based on use. The students who use this program are charged a $20 user fee, and the remaining $16,000 will now be paid by the in- district communities based on the regular assessment formula. This year's assessments are based on a MRHS budget funded with projected Chapter 70 money of $2,268,584 and $983,837 in transportation aid. This is a slight increase in expected funding of Chapter 70 aid ($10,531) and level funding of transportation aid compared with FY2008. Out -of- district enrollment and its associated tuition revenue are anticipated to continue to decline over the long term; the FY2009 enrollment was 44 students below the October 2004 level of 270. This is mainly due to the State's current Chapter 74 rules restricting the number of non - resident students eligible to enroll. Although the State caps Page 15 of 50