1994-06-13-AC-MIN.pdf - Laserfiche WebLink

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APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1994 COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, 7:30 PM Present: G Burnell, M Mairson, P Lapointe, C Abbott, C Coughlin, J Ryan Absent: R Borghesani, S Nablo, J Pagett, R Souza, M O'Sullivan Invited Guests: S Elberger, R White, J Young, S Guryan * General discussion of the Reserve Fund transfers being requested. * R White explained the need for $ 70,000 to supplement the Police/Fire Medical appropriation. Discussed the state statute which requires the Town to indemnify public safety officers hurt in the line of duty. These expenses cannot be paid from health insurance. * R White discussed the requested $40,000 supplemental to the legal budget. He identified some of the more significant issues dealt with by the legal department during this past year. * A brief presentation was made dealing with the Snow & Ice deficit remaining from this past winter. * A more detailed explanation of each of the requests is in the attached memo from R White to the AC. * J Young presented the current situation in the School department and how the projected deficit of $ 300,000 was arrived at. Problem is due mainly to an additional eighteen (18) students requiring outside placement. These students were not identified until after the conclusion of the 1993 Annual Town Meeting. These students either moved into Town or their needs were assessed subsequent to the appropriation for Fiscal 1994 being in place. Of the eighteen (18) students, eleven (11) were placed in day programs, three (3) were placed in the LABB program, four (4) residential placement requiring twenty four (24) care. * The total problem in the schools was $ 800,000 according to J Young. This was made up of a $ 325,000 tuition problem along with a $ 475,000 "inclusion" cost. Inclusion is the placement of children with special needs in the standard classroom with the assistance of a tutor (IEP, Individual Education Program). All these costs are mandated by the State. J. Young stated that the special education participation level is approximately 17% which is the state average. The $ 800,000 problem was reduced to $ 300,000 with a LABB credit, METCO reimbursements for special ed costs and a spending freeze. * G Burnell asked why the inclusion costs were not budgeted properly. J Young responded by stating that the needs were not diagnosed prior to the end of calendar 1992, the time frame in which the fiscal 1994 budget is prepared, as well as the needs of the program increased. The evaluation process has not changed and the parents are very much aware of their rights under the law. * C Coughlin indicated that the State has reduced funding for early intervention which has placed an additional burden on the Town.