HomeMy WebLinkAboutFINAL 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 Stuhn, 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
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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 Bouquallon
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
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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
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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(Stulm) 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
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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
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