ORR Asked to Separate Capital From Budget

Administrators, finance committee members, and selectmen from each of the three towns met for Round One of regional budget talks with the Old Rochester Regional School Committee and school administrators on February 1.

The driving forces behind the recommended 7.5% increase of the $18.3 million budget are health insurance, retirement assessments, and eight proposed new items, in addition to a $60,000 decrease in school choice revenue.

School Business Administrator Patrick Spencer introduced each of the eight items listed in order of importance on the regional’s “wish list”; however, after discussion, some looked more like ‘needs’ than ‘wants.’

At the top of the list is a special education teacher for a new cohort of five students about to turn 18, leading to the need to establish an age 18-22 adult transition program as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Act.

As Director of Student Services Michael Nelson stated, without the program, it would cost the towns $90,000 to $120,000 per student to place these students out of district rather than $55,000 with the program. It would be less of a financial burden on the budget, explained Nelson, to keep the students in the district for their education and training … “Which I think would be ideal to provide in their own home communities,” he added.

Second on the list is a new social worker in addition to adding .2 to an existing social worker position to make it full-time to meet the regional school district’s social/emotion strategic goal of supporting the emotional wellbeing of an increasing number of at-risk students. One social worker would be designated to each of the two schools, at a budget increase of $69,800.

Five years ago, said ORRHS Principal Michael Devoll, there were nine students with significant social/emotional needs. That number has grown to 30.

“We’re really not able to meet the needs of our students,” said Devoll. “Right now, we’re really running around trying to put out fires instead of being proactive….”

Third on the list is a new special education coordinator to be split between the junior and senior high schools estimated at $92,000. Devoll and ORRJHS Principal Kevin Brogioli agreed that between teacher evaluations, student discipline, and special education meetings for 180 pupils on individualized education plans (IEPs), there is not enough time for the assistant principal of each school to effectively attend to everything.

You have 180 students with IEPs, and each has an annual meeting chaired by the assistant principal, Devoll explained. “Essentially, they’re in a meeting a day all year long,” said Devoll, adding that ORR’s caseload per assistant principal is “unheard of” in other districts.

The fourth request, $54,000, is for an art teacher to restore the one that was cut from the budget back in the mid-2000s. Devoll said state colleges require one year of art for admission, yet many students are unable to complete that requirement because there is not enough room in the limited classes.

“And we’re saying ‘no’ to them … while still telling them they have to take an art class,” said Devoll.

Fifth on the list is an extra late bus on Wednesdays at $20,000; sixth, a teacher leader coordinator at $24,000; seventh, a new part-time sign language teacher, a request denied last year, $35,000; and eighth, a new guidance counselor at $54,000.

Devoll said parents are looking for more facetime with their child’s guidance counselor, which often doesn’t happen until junior year for many parents.

“It would make a world of difference,” Devoll said. “I think our families are calling for it, and I think it’s appropriate.”

Mattapoisett Town Administrator Michael Gagne strongly advised School Superintendent Doug White to separate all capital project expenditures from the budget to look at funding them using money that was freed up last fiscal year when the committee voted for a debt reconfiguration to refinance a loan with a significant interest rate reduction.

With an annual $113,000 of freed-up debt, Gagne said the district could borrow on it to pay for capital expenses without a reduction in the original debt cost. Mattapoisett Selectman Paul Silva concurred, and Marion Finance Director Judith Mooney suggested looking into it.

“Let’s start by doing it now,” Mooney said. Offset the $383,000 in capital expenditures in the FY17 budget by borrowing against the $113,000. “That should take care of your capital plan,” said Mooney. It could be done at Town Meeting with a vote to create more debt, yet keeping the payments the same. No tax increases, no assessment spikes.

Gagne emphasized separating the capital from the budget, saying, “Then I can look at the budget for ORR … as I look at the budget for Mattapoisett local schools.” He suggested holding another meeting to compare apples to apples.

“I think it’s unfair for you to have capital in your budget,” Gagne told White.

During closing comments, Karen Kevelson of the Marion Finance Committee had this to say: “As parents and community members and teachers … we want to give our students everything they need … and some of the things they want.” But, just like a child’s Christmas list, “I think there are too many wants on this list for this year, given the financial restraints.”

Silva simply stated that, as it stands now, Mattapoisett could not support the proposed budget.

“Let’s take out the capital. Let’s see what the real numbers are and see what that looks like,” Silva said.

Another joint meeting of the three towns and the ORR school district is scheduled for Wednesday, February 17 at 4:30 pm in the superintendent’s office conference room.

By Jean Perry

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