Frequnetly Asked Questions

These questions were submitted to the school committee on 23 Jan. The answers were compiled
by Dr. Colley and the school committee.

1. What % of the budget is comprised by administrative salaries; and consultant costs?
4% admin costs no info for consultant.

a. Has the budget been analyzed to determine what savings can be found within those areas of the
budget?
Yes

b. What did the analysis yield and what were the savings?
We believe we are staffed (admin) at or below minimum necessary levels. Any further reductions would result is the inability to properly administer the faculty, staff and students.

2. Are the supplies purchased by the school department sent out to bid or purchased in increments just below the sum that requires open public bids for services and materials?
Yes

a. Has consolidation of this practice been analyzed to see if savings can be realized?
Yes, consolidation has been done with the town.

3. Do the contracts for consultants have a clause that allows them to be voided if funds are unavailable?
Yes. However, consultants are usually due to SPED and they need to be paid whether the funds are “available” or not.

a. Has the school committee looked into voiding all such contracts and looked into establishing new ones for the coming fiscal year?
These contracts are only for the current fiscal year.

4. Have the Administrators been approached about taking a pay cut for this fiscal year in order to preserve classroom staffing levels, and class continuity?
Union would have to agree.

5. With so many educated and willing parents available to volunteer, has the administration considered replacing para-professionals now in classrooms with parent volunteers?
This is not an option for a host of reasons including: violates union contract; district is unable to control volunteers as an employer needs to, i.e. scheduling, evaluation etc; Student information is confidential; IEPs require school employee implementation.

a. If so what type of budgetary benefit would be realized?
N/A

6. Besides the current shortfalls in anticipated state funding that have occurred, what other reasons has Dr. Colley given for the deficit in this year’s budget?
• Increased legal expenses
• Increased SPED costs
• Decreased school choice income
• Restructuring previous poor budget practices
• Increased custodial supplies

7. Has the school committee explored furloughs for administrative staff to take care of the budget deficit?
Only if union staff takes a cut too.

8. Has the administration and committee explored the possibility of seeking the retirement of High tier personnel? And offering incentives for them to retire?
This requires incentive cash. The teacher’s contract has incentives built in.

9. Will you call the administration building and request that they make copies of the budget for fiscal year 2009/2010 as well as the actual year to date expenditures available to the public without the need for a freedom of information act request?
This is on line.

10. What does a single/family/ health plan cost? What is the employee contribution to said plan?
The contribution % is 50/50.

a. Has this area been analyzed and the union approached to renegotiate this point, if it saves jobs?
We are in negotiations for this item.