Special Ed Parent Group

Thursday February 26th

Presenting: Dr. Anne Towle – District Budget Discussion

1.Audit Team from Department of Education – 

a.Audit going well – positive view of the SEPAC

2.School Budgets

a.Save 150k due to retirements

b.73% reimbursement for out of district vs. 60% budgeted –

c.Chapter 70 Aid still under funded by $1.5 million when compared to like school districts

d.Increased energy costs by 40% this year and next, prior year’s  energy cost low due to fixed rate contract

National Grid will be coming to Westborough to help with energy saving alternatives and will help with grant program

National Energy conference – small appliances in schools costing loss of money so they have asked staff to remove them.

e.Student enrollment consistent with last year: 3590 students, 3507 + 28 kindergarten students projected for next year.

f.Hoping to stay within class size guidelines.  Goal to keep budget changes from having the least impact on class size   18-22 per class at the Elementary Schools, 24 per class at Mill Pond, 25 per class for the Middle and High School.  Hoping to stay within the upper limits.  There are federal guidelines for the number of special education children allowed per classroom.

g.Hoping not to cut programs at all at this time.

h.Transportation increase by 5%, which is less than expected.

i.Out of district tuition increased by 5%

j.Supplies and Materials – 10% cut expected across the board

k.Original Level Service Budget – what it costs to provide same services 5.2% increase

l.Level Funded Budget – Same money this year and spread across next year + 500k (or .5%)

m.Budget needs to be reduced by $2.3 – $2.5 million dollars

n.Will forgo building repairs for this year.

o.Technology Purchases – cut back this year

p.Busing Fees or changes in bus routes being considered– Main Roads only

q.May increase family cap for student activity fees

Stimulus money for title 1 being offered to some districts (Westborough doesn’t qualify) but we will see funding for IDEA and special education services.  Westborough will receive $887,000.  State will take 10% for administering program.  This will help offset costs.  There is $53 billion to go to states, $39 billion earmarked for Education.  Not sure Mass share of this is.  School district will continue to be politically active to ensure that some of the increases come to Westborough. The community will be asked to participate in a letter writing/calling campaign to the State Government

School Committee is meeting to discussion budgetary cuts.  Final budget must be done before Town Meeting MAY 16th.  You can see budget process on website and presented at school committee meetings. Budget books are available in Anne Towle’s office.

THE WESTBORWILL HAVE HALF DAY ON GOOD FRIDAY

PRINCIPAL SEARCH

1.Jeff Slomski will return to Mill Pond as assistant principal, as Julie Hannon will be moving to the North shore and has resigned.

2Armstrong principal search and Fales principal search ongoing.  Two candidates out of district, one within district.  Anne will send out info to Fales/Armstrong parents about when they can view 3 candidates.  Must have administrative training, a masters plus a number of internship hours.  Decision should be made soon.

2.The High School has interviewed and has found a team chair for high school who will begin next fall.  Teacher within building will be taking position for remainder of the year.  Maureen will most likely support the teacher.  Kelly Sciaca will start at Gibbons in the next few weeks but may need to juggle between the High School and Gibbons.

Ways & Means – voted to spend between $3k – 4k.  Jane Powers will review the forms that will be sent out to the schools.

Wings – We will not have a formal presentation this year as the amount of volunteer time available is not sufficient to host the ceremony.  Instead, we will solicit for nominations and present the award recipients with the nomination and awards directly. We will approach the Westborough Schools to ask if recipients could be listed on website or in school newsletters.

Discussion occurred around middle school/high school issues.  Lots of work to be done around transition and college advisory services.

The next meeting will be held on March 26, 2009 at the Mill Pond School.