Appropriations & Oversight Committee — 2024-01-29
Attendance
Cal Finocchiaro ; Mark Garipay ; Ward Hamilton ; Maya Jamaleddine ; Manjula Karamcheti ; Leila Migliorelli ; John Obremski ; Devin Romanul ; Robb Stewart ; Kimberly Vandiver ; Ryan Williams
Agenda
- Call to Order
- Public Comment
- Informational Items
- INFO-2024-5 : That the Superintendent of Melrose Public Schools John Macero and Director of Finance for Melrose Public Schools Kenneth Kelley appear before City Council to provide an update on the current status of the Melrose Public Schools Fiscal Year 2024 Budget.
- Adjournment
Minutes
CITY OF MELROSE APPROPRIATIONS & OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE CALENDAR● JANUARY 29, 2024 Council Chamber, First Floor, Melrose City Hall Committee Meeting 7:30 PM 562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Maya Jamaleddine Chair Present Ryan Williams Vice Chair Late 7:33 PM Mark Garipay Present Robb Stewart Present Manjula Karamcheti Present John Obremski Absent Ward Hamilton Present Kimberly Vandiver Present Devin Romanul Present Cal Finocchiaro Present Leila Migliorelli President, Ex Oficio Present
INFO-2024-5 Informational That the Superintendent of Melrose Public Schools John Macero and Director of Finance for Melrose Public Schools Kenneth Kelley appear before City Council to provide an update on the current status of the Melrose Public Schools Fiscal Year 2024 Budget. Place on File City Council City of Melrose Page 1 3/7/2024 9:20 AM
Transcript
▶ 0:00 Maya Jamaleddine: On Monday, January 29th, 2024. This is a meeting of the Appropriations and Oversight Committee. I am Maya Jamal, Dean Pronouns, she and her the chair. And also joining me tonight are, um, counselor Ro gpe, Hamilton Chetty, Romano Stewart, and Vandiver, also President Mcle ex Officio. This serves, um, as this serves as notice of Quorum for the record in, uh, in accordance with the open Meeting law. This meeting is being recorded and broadcast, uh, live on MTV and I will motion by anonymous, uh, consent to open the floor for public comment. Seeing no objection, we are now open for public comment, and this is the portion of the meeting where anyone can speak on any item on our agenda tonight. Do we have anyone online?
▶ 1:08 Uh, there are no attendees at this time. Okay. And if there is no objection, I'll motion to close public comment. Sorry, I, I didn't know you were looking for people in the audience. I, I would like to speak. Oh, please come forward. I apologize. I'm just sorry. Catching record. No problem. Uh, my name is Scott Auden. Can you hear me? Okay. My name is Scott Auden. I live at 41 Winthrop Street. Uh, a few weeks ago, I attended the inauguration of the new Mayor Council and the school committee at Memorial Hall. It was the first time I attended an inauguration, and it was an exciting time for the city. My hope is that that night was a turning point for our city, because while I don't have children yet, I am fearful
▶ 1:49 that under the current trajectory, the situation in our public schools to become even more problematic, the significant changes aren't made. My original plan was to simply attend tonight's meeting to try to further understand the current situation with the schools, and to hear what our elected leaders and public officials had to say about the situation. However, once I saw the list of questions being asked of the superintendent and director of finance, I felt compelled to speak. As you can see, I'm a little nervous. Perhaps I missed it, but I was disappointed that there wasn't a single question. But whether the current budget is meeting the needs of our students and our educators, after nearly avoiding law school time due
▶ 2:25 to a teacher strike last year, it seems as if we are headed on a path to a strike similar to the one that's happening in Newton right now. Unless council can figure out a way to effectively fund our schools. Tonight, we'll hear from the superintendent and director of finance, who I believe have been given a nearly impossible job, even with the question of what changes have been implemented to help what work within the current budget is a bit of a scary one, because the situation, the current situation, especially when it comes to our most vulnerable special needs students, is dire. For example, right now at the Lincoln School, right now, the Lincoln School is attempting to hire a long-term substitute to serve
▶ 3:01 as an academic interventionist, interventionist to provide intervention services to at risk children. Struggling with reading and math, the role requires a master's degree and consists of 18.5 hours per week at a salary of $30, which equates to $555 per week. In the private world, a reading specialist can be paid a hundred to $150 an hour. Just as NPS consistently fails to recruit professionals such as physical therapists and occupational therapists for the summer program, in part, due to the hourly pay being $25 an hour, I suspect it is unlikely this trial will be filled as well. Given that finding staff has been an ongoing issue for several years, which in theory should help the bottom line, I shudder to think of
▶ 3:44 how there could be any more cuts to make ends meet. When it comes to transportation, it seems to me that we need more transportation services, not less. There are young special needs students who live almost two miles away from the school that are ineligible, that are eligible to attend NPS, who are told to take the public bus to school for working family without a car and with other small children. The thought of riding the bus to school each day is daunting enough, but when you factor in a bus system that is constantly running late and can't be relied upon, it is essentially an impossible proposition. While I'm all in favor of trying to make the transportation system more efficient, the reality is that the lack of transportation for some
▶ 4:19 of our most vulnerable children is devastating to their future. Finally, I find some of the questions to the superintendent and the finance director a bit perplexing. One question asked to confirm if it is true that 11 teachers at the Franklin School make over $90,000 per year. It only took two minutes to confirm that this is likely the case. As any teacher with at least a master's degree who has 10 years experience, will be earning that salary as per the contractual agreement available on the NPS website. In my opinion, my opinion, paying $90,000 for an educator with 10 years experience in a master's degree is a great value. The same educator will be paid $98,000 in Winchester and 93,000 in Malden in Wakefield
▶ 4:56 and Stoneham, where the salary scale tops out. At 12 years experience, an educator is paid 89 and 88,000 respectively. In summary, I can assure you that the budget gap is not a result of educators at the Franklin School being overpaid, especially given that we've known their salary structures since January, 2023. We all know the value of early childhood education, which means we should be providing more funding to the Franklin School each year instead of raising the cost of attendance dramatically. As it's been the case recently to help offset the ongoing NPS budget woes. In closing, for years and possibly decades, merose has been replying up, relying on the goodwill of our educators to keep schools operating as best they can
▶ 5:32 Maya Jamaleddine: to ensure a bright future for our students and our society. Ultimately, the platitudes about how wonderful the teachers are only go so far. It's up to us as a community to demonstrate with an appropriate budget that we value our educators and our school system. There is no better investment a community can make than in its young people. I hope that tonight is a realization that is finally time to properly invest in our Melrose Public Schools. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks. If there is no objection, I'll motion to close public comment. Seeing none, we are now closed for public comment. For the record, I would like to, um, mention, um, vice Chair William just joined us since we have members of the administration here tonight
▶ 6:25 Maya Jamaleddine: to speak on the items before us. I'd like to motion by anonymous consent to suspend Rule 37 B before we proceed. And seeing no objection. The Rule 37 B is now suspended. Um, we only have one item before us tonight. Um, info 2024 dash five that the Superintendent of Merose Public Schools, John Macero and Director of Finance of, uh, for Mayor Public Schools cannot Kelly appear before City Council to provide an update on the current status of the Merose Public Schools fiscal year 2024 budget. And due to the nature of the order presented before us tonight, and for the sake of the public and the people watching us tonight, I would like to read the Rule of the City Charter Charter, uh, section two seven of the Rule D.
▶ 7:21 Maya Jamaleddine: The city council shall give notice to any person the city council may require to appear before it under the section, not less than 48 hours before such appearance is required. The notice shall include specific questions on which the City council seeks information and no person called to appear before the city council. Under this section shall be required to respond to any question, not relevant or related to those presented in advance and in writing. Counselors were asked to submit their questions by Thursday of last week. Counselors will be asking these questions tonight to the members of the administration. Any of any follow up question I ask my fellow colleagues to refrain from asking any question
▶ 8:06 Maya Jamaleddine: that are not related to this order. The current status for the Marius Public Schools fiscal year 2024 Budget, Mr. Macero and Mr. Kelly are not required to answer any follow-up question that is not related to this order. Tonight, we have, uh, superintendent Macero and the Director of Finance for Matters Public Schools. Mr. Kelly, please come forward and, um, I will open the floor for, um, the writer of the, uh, order, uh, counselor gpe. Thank you, uh, Madam Chair. Um, thank you Mr. Miss Harrow. And Mr. Kelly, always great to see you. Um, I, I just wanna start by, by stating, I, I filed this order with our councilor Stewart and a co a couple other councilors, um, um, signed onto it. But six months into the year, um, with, um,
▶ 9:07 Mark Garipay: the financial budget last year and, and the, um, commitment by the prior administration to use some free cash to balance, balance this year's budget, I thought it was appropriate to, to get an update from the, from the school department on where we are. Um, my my goal tonight is just to ask some general questions. I mean, there'll be a time for me personally to, to dig deep when, when you come, uh, before us for appropriating money. I think that for me, that's the time that I'll, uh, ask, um, more questions. Mine's more of where we are and, and where we're going and what you're seeing and what, what's changed. So, uh, with that being said, uh, if you don't mind, I'll start. I have about 10 questions.
▶ 9:47 Mark Garipay: They were the first ones in there, uh, on the list. Um, so I'll just start with 'em and, and then I'll pass it off to, or pass back to, um, Madam Chair and, and, and she can go to the next individual, next counselor. So, um, my first question is, uh, the school department, um, what's the, what's the actual, uh, uh, spend year to date compared to what we've approved? What was approved last year's budget Last year? FY 20 three's budget, or FY 20 four's budget? The current budget we're in today. Sure. So Actual spending Is just under $22 million. It's 21 9 99. Um, and between the city appropriation and, uh, the, um, school districts revolving, um, uh, budget offsets, uh, the approved budget was 43,200,000,
▶ 10:38 Mark Garipay: a little over 200,000. So, um, just under 22 million so far as an actual spending. So We're running about, we're running a little over Little bit. Well, I would say a a according to what we've, what we've planned so far. Okay. And the budget you're talking about, was the school committee approved budget? Not the budget that the city proposed. Probably precast. This is the city, this was the city's approved budget. The school committee's budget is, uh, about 46 million. A little over, well, a little under 47 million. Okay. So I understand this correctly. The city gave the schools 38 million 500, 5, 11, 11,000. That's Correct. So we are running, you're running, um, you're 22 million into that 38 5?
▶ 11:21 Mark Garipay: Correct. Okay. Uh, okay. Um, so do you think you're on pace to come in, come in less than what was approved on the 38 5? No, not less than the 38 5. Okay. Um, so I'll follow up. What's the outlook for the next six months? Um, for the budget? I think that we probably work, we work on, it's safe to say we work on that on a daily basis. Mm-Hmm. To, to stay within in the budget. Um, we would, you know, we would love to work within the, um, you know, know that that 43 2 number, that's what's in, in, um, you know, the number that's been approved plus what we think we can bring in with offset revenue. Um, we, we are trying daily to do that. Um, we think it's very important to, to live within our means.
▶ 12:06 Um, I think there are some challenges to that. Um, we have monthly reporting that we go over with the school committee. We've built in some monitoring reports, um, for our offsets. 'cause that's our, our contributing revenue. Um, we've increased those this year because we're, we're really trying to do our part to bring in revenue. Um, and then it's, it's also important to note that a lot of the costs that we face are fixed costs. There's, there's not a lot of, of, um, chance to, to change those numbers because they're, they're fixed. That's over 90% of our budget. Yeah. I think not only the schools, I think the city side too is it's all fixed cost, right? Yep. We don't have a lot of flexibility there.
▶ 12:43 Mark Garipay: Um, when you said, um, when you say 42 million, um, I think it just said 42 million. Is that 43? 43 2 43 2. And that, that number includes the, um, the appropriation of free cash that you may be coming for? Does that Does not, No, that Includes the Offset accounts. Okay. Offset offset accounts. Alright. Um, So we bring in revenue for things like athletic fees, music fees, tuitions for the Franklin School. That's what the offsets are. Okay. Um, so as it stands now, uh, the previous administration had, um, promised, uh, an order to come down to the city council to use free cash, and I think it was around 2.8 million Mm-Hmm. But then I think at the end of the year, we took another 500,000 that was supposed
▶ 13:34 Mark Garipay: to go into stabilization, special ed stabilization, which would really bring that to 3.2 million that would be needed for, in my mind, just rough numbers in free cash. Uh, we still looking at 3.2 million of free cash, or do you think potentially the request for us over the next few months to balance this year, FY 24 budget will be more than that? 3.2. So we, we did receive 500 free cash for, um, FY 24, and then the, um, the 2.8 is, that's a separate number. So we had, um, the school committee approved budget is that 2.3 to 2.8 million more than the 43 million. And then the city did also appropriate the 500,000 as well for some identified costs that would defray the FY 24 budget. And we've used that to purchase those things,
▶ 14:28 Mark Garipay: or will, depending on, on when, during the school year. We need to, we need to purchase those. So, but it still comes, it's gonna be about 3.2 million that we are gonna have to try to find next year. Yes. FY 25, it's not gonna go away, is what? Correct. It just was, that wasn't special ed stabilization money. We, we requested help with that for closing Y 23. Correct. It was not, it. We didn't, we didn't make a motion to it. It was not an order, it was not in stabilization, but we were, the order in front of us was to put it in stabilization, and the mayor changed that to give it to the school. So it was 2.8 million plus the 500,000 is where I'm coming up with a 3.2. Sure. You are correct. We sure it never went into
▶ 15:10 Mark Garipay: stabilization, but the order we had before us originally was to put it in stabilization for special ed. Okay. Um, with that being said, we didn't end up putting that money into, um, special ed stabilization. Do you know the balance of that? Right now? I believe the city's stabilization fund is somewhere in the neighborhood of 350,000. I believe it's in that. And I, I don't have the exact dollar figure. And I think the CFO last year tried to increase that to 750. He thou he thought that should be the balance in there. Yeah. Um, I would agree. By the way, I think that's a good, that's a good goal. Yep. I'm a big fan of stabilization funds if we have the money to put it in there. Um, over, over the last six months, um,
▶ 15:59 since the 2024 budget, what has the school department implemented in their operations in order to save money? So, one thing I would like to just address is the first day that I started on July 1st, the first thing I did was freeze the budget. I felt that that was really important, um, walking into a, a district that was having those issues. I didn't want us to, I wanted to have a good opportunity to really take a look at what those expenses were that we were currently using, um, for supplies and all of that. And so anything that we had to, um, deal with or anything that was going to be spent at that point had to go through Ken or I for approval, because that was, uh, we wanted to make sure from
▶ 16:48 that moment that we took a look, um, that we were able to focus on that. So that was the first thing we did, was that freeze the budget. The other items that I, I believe, um, is that we encumbered all of our salaries right off the bat. I think that was really important for us to get a sense of, okay, these are all our staff. This is our, who's working, what's going, make sure we encumber the payrolls. We know exactly what we're at. No surprises. That was key to that. As we, um, kept moving on, we wanted to make sure that we also created a line item budget. I think that that was really important for the, for the community, the district, to see where every expense is coming out of. So we made sure that we did that.
▶ 17:34 And we also, um, posted that line item budget on our website and we talk about it at school committee. Um, do you want to go through a couple of other items? Sure. And I think it's, I, I think this is a good question in that, I don't know if it's just, just the past six months we've been looking to do things. We chart 'em to build in some incremental steps and using the systems that we have to help us, where I would say we're a pretty lean staff. Um, I can speak for the business office. It's a pretty lean staff. Um, so we have systems like Muni and Aspen. Um, when I arrived, we use the card stock handwritten cards for accruals, which is so time consuming. And, um, we run, uh, two simultaneous independent payroll systems.
▶ 18:17 We run a weekly and a biweekly. So to have someone stop and take a box down and take out white cards and check marks is such a time consuming process. We've, that's spreadsheet based now. Uh, we're using Muni to, like, we've always used uni for the operating budget. Now we're starting to build in budgets for things like the ECC that previously didn't have a budgeting system. So now we can track spending for that. So we're trying to build in incremental changes over time, cost-effective, cost neutral, using systems we have so that we can use those tools to help us budget better. So I wouldn't say it's necessarily the last six months, but these are some of the things that we've been working on continuously.
▶ 18:53 I also just want to, we at, one of the things that we do do too is that we share monthly special ed department, um, the budget. We make sure that the school committee at every school committee once a month, they see where we're at, um, what's our expenses going so that everybody is aware of, um, if there's any, um, additional charges that may come. Because as you're aware, in the special education department, that is constant throughout the year, you have IEP meetings, you have team meetings where, um, a student could have required different services, and so you wanna make sure that we stay on top of that. Um, also you have the opportunity for someone to move in, just like someone could move out of the community.
▶ 19:39 So those things, we wanted to have a really good sense of it. And one of the things that I've also, uh, initiated in that with the special ed, uh, the assistant superintendent of special ed, was even if you have potential possibilities of students that may require different services, could we incorporate that in so that we get a sense of what that may look like? That way we know what that total dollar is, as opposed to, oh, this just came in. We, we, we really wanted to keep those. Focus on, on that. Um, the, we're working a lot with our city partner, uh, the audit firm from CCLA. Yep. I always think of Boston University when they say CLA, sorry. Um, and, um, and so they've been with us, you know,
▶ 20:31 constantly making sure and we're communicating with them on the different things that we're doing. Uh, is there anything else that you wanna Yeah, I Think that that's, we, we, you know, I I I think it's, we're looking to continuously improve. It's not just what, what changes are we implementing for this week or next week? It's what are we doing to improve overall so that, you know, we're all aware that this is a, a very big financial challenge that we're all facing. So, yeah. And one of the things that we also saw too is that, you know, at one point, and I noticed that I know, um, Ken and the school committee even before I came here, have over the past of last year, started to create more, uh, the line items on the budget.
▶ 21:07 They only had two categories at one time, and now they have six categories, which makes it much better for us to be able to take a look at those particular categories and know what are our expenses. Yeah. So with, um, with all those, um, changes, um, operationally, have you seen any financial savings in the budget? I think That's, like We had said before, a lot of our costs are fixed. So I, you know, I wouldn't say that, um, you know, we're always looking for ways to, to get more without spending more. But with the fixed costs that we have, our, our FY 24 budget is level service with some very minimal required programming for special education and ELL students. Um, so that we don't, um, we don't have a tremendous opportunity to, to,
▶ 21:59 Mark Garipay: to pare back on those things. So I think we are always looking for ways, um, to be financially responsible. But I to say that we have a, you know, found huge savings is, you know, that's not something that is actually an option for us with the, the, the fixed costs that we're facing. Okay. Um, Mr. Messer, you mentioned, um, I think it was weekly, uh, meetings regarding the special ed budget. Mm-Hmm. What have you learned, um, around the special ed budget, um, and what, what, what other changes have we made, um, to the special ed department in order to try to, that that's our, that's where we're growing. And I'm not, I fully support funding special ed. I don't want people, you know, that, to get taken outta context,
▶ 22:45 but where, um, what, what, what has been done in order to try to make some changes there? So one of the things that we have, you know, we, we need to add programming within the district. So some of our special ed programming we do not have. And currently what happens is, um, if we don't offer that opportunity, then a student would have to go to an out of district placement. So we have been what won't affect, you know, it won't make a difference to us currently in this year, but what we've been doing is planning on that for the future as we start to take a look at where can we put established a programs into our, um, system so that now when that need comes up, we don't have to send, you know, that child, um, out of district
▶ 23:36 because quite frankly, they don't want to go out of district either. They would prefer to stay with us on that. So that's one of the things that we've, um, we've worked on, we've looked at with the, um, director. We've also, as I told you before, we've looked at the, the different budgets that are happening. The, the schools that we're sending, you know, one of the biggest costs that has affected us this particular year in special ed was that fixed cost of a jump to 14% that the state allowed jumping to the, allowing those schools to go to 14%. And then, you know, for us, that was huge. And that's, that's something that has affected not just Melrose, but multiple districts all across the board.
▶ 24:20 Uh, I'm taking a look at the other, so the good news on our, um, circuit breaker, our projections were correct. So that brought, you know, that's, and one of the things about Circuit Breaker that I, if I may, I'd just like to remind everybody on how that works with the circuit breaker, is anything that's over $44,000, then you get the opportunity to get reimbursement. But the first $44,000 is not reimbursement. So let's take, if you take somebody that's expenses, that is a hundred thousand, $56,000 would be reimbursed, but it's not reimbursed at a hundred percent, it's reimbursed At this past year, the state legislation made sure it was 75%, which was great, because sometimes it could be 70, sometimes it could be 66.
▶ 25:13 So that has helped as well as the, um, school Opportunity Act has also, now they're trying to make sure that that is funded through specially when it comes to transportation. We're trying to gear up to maybe possibly get the a hundred percent of that. So when you take a look at those, that's, um, some of the stuff that we've had to rely on. Um, one of the other areas though, on special ed that has, we are not able to fill all of these positions, and that has become part of an issue. Um, we had para positions budgeted, but in some schools, we weren't able to fill those positions. But we're still required to service those, um, classrooms that need powers or individuals that need powers. And so therefore, we ended up having to go through a firm
▶ 26:04 to get an agency, which then of course, not only are you paying for that para, but you're also paying an agency fee. So that was something that, um, we would hope to avoid as we move forward on that. And the same thing has been an issue with some of our, uh, teaching positions, uh, for, you know, for example, we've had real difficulty this year, not just, and when I say these, this isn't unique to just Melrose, this is unique to all of the schools because as superintendents, we communicate with each other continuously about have you been able to fill this position? Have you been able to, so B, CBA, speech pathology, those types of positions have been difficult for us to recruit in. And then if that's the case, what happens is we have
▶ 26:48 to go outside. So we have to take, we have to take that into consideration of those things because the IEP is a required document and we have to fulfill that. So I think your, your question of what have I learned, I've learned from coming back too, that a lot, some of these positions are not that easy now to fill as they were five years ago or three years ago. Um, and so those, there are additional expenses that are coming in. And so what we're trying to do is make sure that we are taking care of those expenses as we build for the future. We're trying to make sure that we create the programs that are going to be in place so that, not that it's going to bring a student back tomorrow. The plan is, is that that would be wonderful,
▶ 27:41 Mark Garipay: but the plan is, is that we would stop having students have to leave. So that's, that's where we're at. I, I think back when we met in our, I think it was August or September, it was one of, one of the issues that, that it just pains me that we have to send kids correct. Outside Yes. Of the city. And they can't go to school with their friends and neighbors. It's, they're gonna have, we're gonna have certain situations, but, um, I'm in total a agree. I appreciate, I appreciate that. And, and, you know, I'm glad we're looking to try to, I mean, I'm in total agreement. I mean, that's the, the goal of our, our us. We want to teach every child that's in Melrose Public Schools. We want them here. And so that's the difference.
▶ 28:22 Mark Garipay: But in order to do that, we also have to make sure that we have the, the proper programming for that child. Yeah. Thank you. Um, just two more questions. Um, transportation was another line item that railing went through the roof last year. Mm-Hmm. Um, during the budget, It still, it's still through the roof. Not to interrupt you, I was hoping you wouldn't say that. Um, but you had mentioned last year we were looking to hire drivers ourselves. And what, what have we done? What have we implemented? Yeah. Since that time last year when you were in front of us during the budget, and from what it sounds like, the costs haven't gone down. The costs have not gone down. If anything, they've gone up. We were able to hire a driver.
▶ 29:01 Um, we had to turn in. So we, we lease our, um, our in-district transportation, and we do handle some, some of the out district route as well. Through a fleet, a fleet of vans. We had seven vans. Um, we did have to turn two of those in because after they get to a certain age, they're no longer viable for a lease. Those are dodge caravans. Those are the gold standard for student transportation. They're easy to drive, they're dependable. Um, I'm not sure why Chrysler's no longer making those. So to replace those was gonna be, uh, if not triple, even more than triple the cost, uh, to continue those. So we, we stopped those two leases. Um, we no longer have any surplus vehicles, um, so all around the road.
▶ 29:37 So we did pursue that. Um, and the, we've tried to work with some of the vendors to consolidate things like that, which we were able to do at the beginning. But now as student needs a rise, like, so for example, if you have two students that are experiencing some challenges, they may not be able to ride together, and now they need two separate transportations for, you know, going to the same place. So, um, a lot of that is based on student need. We do our best to try to, to, um, uh, you know, forecast and plan for that. But sometimes things pop up just happened this morning, I was on copied on an email where it, it, it's becoming challenging and, and maybe having to go to a different route.
▶ 30:15 Hopefully as we create programs in house, keep students here, we'll start seeing that line and 'em go down. But, and, and if I may, um, Mr. Carpe, um, when I was talking about the circuit breaker two, all of those costs also will be incorporated. So if it's a transportation that we have to pay for that, for that student, if there's any particular, um, service that needs to go on with that student, if it's a para, all of those come over that 44,000. So that's why some of those expenses as you move forward. But when you, when you, when you break all of that down, you see that 75% of that certain amount may only really be 50 if you're lucky, or 35 to 40%. So, Um, can you, um, I know you, you did your budget presentation,
▶ 31:10 Mark Garipay: um, the other day. Um, if we need, um, if you need to come in before us for free cash to balance FY 24 budget, which was always part of the plan Mm-Hmm. Um, can you gimme a macro view of how that's gonna, how that'll affect the FY 25 budget Is still there. I mean, you know, um, when I started there was a $2.4 million gap. Um, you know, we're still working to try to close that. Um, it's, you know, the city has been very gracious and very supportive of the schools to grant one time funding and, um, to, you know, keep the programming intact. I think there's really excellent programming going on in the schools. Um, but there's a little bit of a decision that needs to be made as far as as what to do with that gap.
▶ 32:01 It does exist. It's, it's part of FY 25 that we, we presented Mm-Hmm. And, um, uh, you know, I think it is, um, whether that's an override, you know, that's something that's, that's a community decision that's not a superintendent or a director of finance decision. That's a community decision. And, um, I think that's kind of where we are with regard to that. I know there, there's, when I've talked to people from time to time, and they go back to the 2019, 2020 override, which was great, a lot of those programs are still involved, you know, still intact and still part of the, the school system in, in the current climate we live in with inflation and fixed costs, I don't think it's a one and done with an override.
▶ 32:39 Mark Garipay: I think that's a, an ongoing conversation that a community like Melrose that has a lot of pride in each schools, but doesn't necessarily have the commercial base of a, of a neighboring community needs to, to, to consider as far as a, a funding plan. Um, and I don't disagree with you, that gap is not gonna be solved in this chamber here. So, um, just one, just going back, um, so the 500,000 that you used as free cash last year, that was all for one time money, uh, one time expense. Correct. That wasn't gonna be a reoccurring correct. Deficit, if I remember. Okay. Just wanted to make sure on that. So right now you think it's where we stand now? We're right around the 2.8 million for free cash,
▶ 33:21 Robb Stewart: Somewhere in that neighborhood? Yes, potentially. Yes. Um, okay. And one other thing, uh, you mentioned unis. Is there any way I like looking at the Munis report? Can, can you send us a copy of the unis Report? Yes, yes. Thank you. We share that with school committee once a month. We go over that once a month. We can certainly share that. Great. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, councilor gpe. And next we have, um, councilor Stewart. Thank you Madam Chair. Thank you Mr. Ms. Sarah, Mr. Kelly for being here this evening. Appreciate it. And your patience. Um, so starting at question number 12, if you had a chance to review. Sure. Um, I know that the, the, the budgetary numbers are, are out there, right?
▶ 34:01 Robb Stewart: They're, they're on the website. Um, but, uh, if you could just for the council and for the general public outline what the plans are to, uh, kind of close the fiscal 24 budget, what that looks like timing wise, and when you will, if needed to communicate any variances that are gonna be coming forward. Sure. That's a great question. Um, and I think that the timeline for closing the books is, is pretty set. Um, we work pretty closely with the auditor's office this year. For FY 24, it will include a, a, a supplemental request for the council to consider respectfully, um, as councilor was just mentioning that 2.7, 2.8 million, that will be a request that's, that's coming. Um, I know that the, the city is still, I think,
▶ 34:50 awaiting the free cash certification once that that process happens. Um, then we would talk about a, you know, a timeline to request that. I think over the next few months we could be able to fine tune that number of, of what we would need as a supplemental to, to close that gap. And then typically in May, um, we, we shut down the spending, um, and the PO process at the school systems in accordance with what the auditor's office does for the city side. Um, we close out any pos, we make sure we've paid the bills, and then, um, we transfer those offset funds we talked about earlier, to balance the budget to zero. And then that closes it from the school side. The city would roll over to the next fiscal year,
▶ 35:29 Robb Stewart: and then the schools complete their end of year report that we need to submit to DESI on an annual basis. And that we turn that in end of September or October-ish. Great. And so you would expect that the request for the additional monies would come in the April or May timeframe? I, I think so, yes. Probably at the latest we would wanna try to get that as soon as possible. Okay. But it really depends on the certification process. Mm-Hmm. That, yes. And once we want, we don't, the last thing we wanna do is come forward with a number and then have to come back for a second time. So it would have to be, we would want to, we would wanna really make sure that we're, we've got a number that we're comfortable with that we'll close the year.
▶ 36:03 Robb Stewart: Okay. And are there any other funding sources that you're planning on? We have our revolving offset accounts that we generate revenue. Mm-Hmm. Um, but then it would be the, the supplemental request would be the additional. Okay. Great. Um, and right now you are saying based on, uh, what your feedback to Const GPE was, is that there is no significant gap to actual right now if actual forecast? I, I think we're on track with spending what we, what we had projected, yes. Mm-Hmm. Okay. Great. Um, I mean, we look at this daily. Sure. I believe it. Um, are there any contractual details, concerns that may impact this coming up to the may june timeframe? Contractual? I don't believe so. I Don't believe so. We built,
▶ 36:59 so the, the, the, um, salaries are, are, are probably one of our biggest contractual items. And those, those are, we've encumbered those funds. Right. So that's part of our, And there's no Done this year. We're Not in negotiations with any contract contract that would affect this current year. Correct. Any, any contractual, um, that we're in would be the future. Okay. Great. And, um, we'll go on to 13. Let's see, we covered a lot of these, so I, I don't want to repeat. Um, any plans to cut any services? Uh, currently? So currently there are not. But what I will tell you is that this year we did have a position that, uh, did leave in the middle of the year to, um, for a promotion at another district.
▶ 37:50 And we chose not to fill that position. We felt it was best at this time to not fill that. Um, and then, um, what we're, as I said to you earlier, part of our issue is, is that the positions that we wanted to fill, we haven't been able to fill those yet. So those are some of the, the, you, you would think that we would get that back as revenue, but it's kind of counterproductive because it's going towards, um, outside agencies of what we need, so. Right. And so on that, do you have to pay the outside agencies up front? We don't pay them up front. We get invoices. That's like any other, um, vendor, you know, we, we, they have to register the district as a vendor and then they invoice us for services,
▶ 38:36 and then we, um, we process those payments according to the warrant system. So we've had a couple of people that left, we didn't backfill, and we're leveraging that money to compensate for the additional increase. Okay. Gotcha. Trying to, yes. Okay. Makes sense. Um, Um, if I, if I may please, in regards to, you know, I'm thinking about it when you talk about contractual is, or anything, there are leaves. So, so we do have a, you know, teachers have the right to go out on a maternity leave or a paternity leave, um, F fmla, FMLA leaves and stuff. Those leaves when they go out and they are, you know, they, we have to compensate for whatever that sick time is or there. And then on top of it, we have to, you know, replace.
▶ 39:27 So that can become part of something that we've taken a look at as well, uh, in regards to, um, what those costs are. But I would say that that's probably what you are referring to in a contractual Correct. That's a contractual obligation, so Correct. Right. Correct. That's probably not that, that significant relative to some of the other cost drivers that are impacting your budget. Right. We, we've seen quite a bit of, I mean, this year we've had quite a bit of leaves and so Yes. And, um, you know, there's a lot of babies being born, which is great. Um, but there's a, you know, so those leaves. And then on, on the other side though, on the un unfortunate side too, though, there's a lot of FMLA leaves that are happening, you know, for
▶ 40:13 personal reasons and stuff. And so that has, we've, we've had to take a good look at that and make sure that we are, you know, where is this money coming from? And a lot of that's another avenue, uh, that, that money's coming from some of those positions that were not filled as we take a look at that, so. Okay. Um, let's see. And, and for the cons and in public, uh, what dependencies on any, any chapter 70 funding? Or is that just automated and what's being for, have you forecasted a number for that? Sure. So chapter 70, um, is money. That's, for those that aren't familiar, it's money that's appropriated from the state to the city for, um, the school systems. Uh, a significant majority of that comes
▶ 41:02 Robb Stewart: to the Melrose Public Schools. Um, and last year we received about 12.2 million from the state. And this year we're, um, we were hopeful that would go up. It did go up by about 1%. So we're on track for about 12.4 million this year, and we do use that in its Entirety. So you base it on the cherry sheets that estimates that came out? Correct. Okay. Uh, Okay. And we talked about operational efficiencies, and that's difficult because now when, when you had mentioned to, um, const, Garate on the fixed costs, what percentage of the costs are fixed roughly? For Our operating budget, it's about 92%, maybe a little more. Oh, 92%. Yeah. Okay. So you got 8% to play with. Yes. Got it. Okay. Alright. All right. Um, are the,
▶ 41:55 are there any other considerations that we need to know about that you're thinking about that hasn't come up yet regarding the $2.7 million gap? I think like what superintendent Macera just said, like the, the leaves of absence, we've seen a, an increase this year over, over a typical, and that's something that's very hard to plan for, and it is a double impact. It's, it's, we're, you know, obligated as a contractual obligation to, to fund that for, you know, people that have accrued appropriate time off. Um, as well as the coverage for that, whether it's a substitute or our, um, paraprofessional contract has a built in, um, escalator where if they cover a class, they get additional compensation.
▶ 42:30 So, um, those are hard things to plan for, but, uh, also necessary in, in, in that it, you know, we, we need coverage in the classrooms when, when the teacher's away. Sure. Thank you. Uh, and then finally, specific to transportation, uh, special ed, I know that those are big drivers that are harder to predict. Um, do you have like spend forecast numbers for us? Um, I would say that that's on track. I think that, um, the last year we did, um, uh, a considerable amount of time budgeting for the tuitions and the transportation based on, on prior costs prior to my arrival. I don't know, what was the process for budgeting? Some of those budgeting numbers were under, um, under budgeted, I would say.
▶ 43:15 So we planned for the 14%, uh, tuition increase. And for transportation, we tried to budget based on what was spent on the prior year. I would say right now transportation is probably the biggest concern to come in a little bit over. I would say the tuitions right now though, are probably coming in right on track what we thought they would be. Great. And you had mentioned, um, on question five, monthly sped budget is tracking. Um, have there been any additional charges that have transpired that we've had to compensate for? Uh, yes. Um, between, um, district settlements with, with families and, and, um, regarding tuitions? Yes, I would say that there's been increases, but, um, I would say that we,
▶ 44:06 like Superintendent Meera has said, we, you know, we, we do our best to, um, uh, try to show that we want people in the Melrose Public Schools as much as we can. And sometimes it is appropriate when, when we can't meet needs that that alternatives have to be found. But we are, you know, I think we are, um, working to show that the Mowers public schools is a pretty excellent school system and we want to work with people to, to keep them here. Great. Those are My questions. Um, Madam Chair. Thank you, gentlemen. Appreciate, Thank you. Thank you. Next we have, um, counselor Hamilton. Thank you. Thank you gentlemen, for being here this evening. Um, Mr. ero, I think I speak for many in this community.
▶ 44:44 Ward Hamilton: Um, when I say thank you for your leadership, um, it's been wonderful. Thank you. Uh, and Mr. Kelly, I think it was on day 12, everything went sideways. Yes. But, um, I thank you for hanging in there and, um, sticking by the district and, and doing everything that you're doing. You certainly Sure. It's, it's, uh, respected. Thank you. So, um, just to, before I ask these questions, mm-Hmm. Uh, a lot of my questions probably half were deemed irrelevant, um, by the city solicitor. I'm not gonna ask those questions, but so many were deemed irrelevant that I've moved the order of the questions, otherwise it wouldn't make sense. And I wanna preface the questions I'm gonna ask you by saying the value
▶ 45:39 Ward Hamilton: and the benefits of the ECC are beyond question. Okay? Mm-Hmm. The cost is confusing to me, and so that's all I'm trying to do is find out what the costs are. Um, Mr. Kelly, the Google Doc spreadsheet, FY 24 salary budget line item November, 2023, found on the Mar Public School website indicates that there are 16 preschool teachers at the, OR pre-K teachers at the ECC, their average salary is 83,000. 11 of those teachers are compensated a rate in excessive $90,000 per year. Is that correct? I don't have it in front of me, but yeah, I would say yes. That if you're looking at the, the, the what was Yes, correct. Yes. According to the data presented on the Mars Public School's website, the cost
▶ 46:32 Ward Hamilton: of the ECC is $2,998,071 94 cents for fiscal year 24. That figure is entirely made up of employee salaries saved for approximately 13,800 and non-salary compensated expenses. Is that correct? Yes. The $2,998,071 and 94 cents does not include the cost of those employees fringe benefits such as retirement health insurance, nor does it include the costs of the matching 12% FICA that an employer pays workers' comp and other overhead that's carried on the city side. Is that correct? Correct. That's consistent with citywide departments. Yep. Do we know what those costs are? It's the same as, as, um, as the plans that are offered through the city as human resources department are consistent for all Melrose municipal employees.
▶ 47:24 Ward Hamilton: So it's the, it's generally typically like a 16 to 84 split for the, the health insurance benefit. And I think that the cityside costs per employee is anywhere from like two to $400 up to 2000 depending on the plan. Mm-Hmm. So as far as a total dollar figure for the city, I, I don't have that for. What would've benefit is. Okay, Uh, let's see. The $2,998,071 and 94 cents does not include the costs of maintaining the infrastructure of the building grounds, keeping snow removal, maintenance, custodial services, heat, hot water, electricity. Is that correct? Correct. Is that carried by DPW? Correct. Yes. That's for all of our school buildings, correct? Yep. Do we know what those costs are? I think from our NDE report last year, I wanna say
▶ 48:11 Ward Hamilton: that the, um, somewhere around 3 million total for the district was, was DPW. Are there any other costs associated with the ECC that were not included or identified in the FY 24 school budget? Like it, um, computers, telephones, internet, Um, the telephone service we do pay for, it's the, um, we went to a voiceover internet and, um, but other, we share our IT department with the city as well. Right. Yes. Nor nor school's website registration and information for Franklin page indicates that two days a week, three days a week, and five days a week, enrollment options are available. How many students are currently enrolled in each of these categories? Sure. So the two day, there's 21 students enrolled,
▶ 49:00 Ward Hamilton: and the three day there's 34. And in the five day there's 180 for a total of 2 35. Okay. Are any of those students from communities outside of the district? They could Be. Usually our tuition program would be, um, it's possible there's a, um, a student from a neighboring community that's paying tuition. Okay. Thank you. When we apply the actual enrollment that you just gave me, um, preschool students in each of those three options to the tuition charge, what is the total figure projected to be This year? It's projected to be about 1.7, 1.8 million, which is a little lower than we were anticipating based on last spring's, um, projection. Did we receive chapter 70 funding for FY 24 for kindergarten students in the district?
▶ 49:52 Ward Hamilton: Yes, we did. And how much did we get per kindergarten student? About 9,400. A little over $9,400. Alright. 94. And do we receive chapter 70 funding for, uh, FY 24 for pre-K students? Certain students? We do. Students that receive services would, would, we would be, um, receiving chapter 70, And that's, that's a question that was deemed irrelevant, um, but it's in the budget book from last Tuesday night's presentation, so Thank you. Um, are any of those students from outside the district? I'm not Aware. Typically for, so the, the, the Franklin, the ECC, um, it's, it's dual purpose. It, it's an integrated preschool so that we have students that receive special education services from ages three
▶ 50:43 Ward Hamilton: on in, in, in the city. So it's my understanding that that students receiving services through the Franklin are, are Melrose student, uh, citizens. And I understand that's one of the, the values of Correct. Yeah. Um, did we receive chapter 70 and the next three questions about chapter 70 funding for elementary, middle, and high school? If they're the same amount for, for each age, that would be, They're different amounts. So for, are they, okay, so elementary, so for elementary students it's about little over 9,500. Uh, for middle school it's 9,100, a little over 9,100 in high school. Um, it's a little over 11,000 per student. Thank you. Uh, the next question, I'll just try to show you, it, it comes from that FY 24, um, document,
▶ 51:34 and it's where we have identified Franklin budget and Franklin non-budget. And, and the question is, could you describe, could you explain what the difference is and in hopefully in lay person terms? Sure, sure. Yeah. So, um, We, the Franklin is, is paid for from the, the operating budget appropriated by the city. Um, and those are those special education costs. If the Franklin were to close tomorrow, we don't wanna do that. But if hypothetically, if it were to close tomorrow, we are still obligated to provide services for the students ages three on that are eligible for special education. So those are the costs associated with the special education programming. The integrated preschool that charges tuition also has costs
▶ 52:20 as you were showing there with the, um, teachers to run those classrooms. And so we pay some of those salaries through the tuition line. So that's the, the two different, the budget side would be more for special education supports, and then the tuition side would be more for, um, paying for the teachers to run the integrated classrooms. Thank you. And, and if I just might add too, I mean the, as you, you know, you look at the value of that building, the concern would be if we didn't have that building, where would we have these students that we do need to educate, that required to buy the IEP for 3-year-old, 4-year-old? And so that's, I I will tell you this from somebody who was in the city next door, town next door,
▶ 53:07 and I used to drive by it every day. I used to be like, oh God, I wish I had that opportunity. And we did. Now they will in the fall when they build that new high school, they're also building a brand new preschool within it because of these types of requirements that we need to make sure that we do. So I also appreciate you saying too at the beginning that, you know, the Franklin is, is a good program because it's important too to understand that the Franklin is education based program. This is really standards based education that it's not, uh, uh, you know, no disrespect, but it's not a daycare, it's not childcare, right? There's actual programmatic educational, um, goals and standards that are being delivered at the Franklin
▶ 53:45 Ward Hamilton: that are, um, you know, it benefits all Melrose students as they go through school, Right? So, but when we zoom out and look at the fiscal 24 budget, Franklin budget and Franklin non-budget are both part of the bottom line. The total cost, the Non-budget is not part of that. That that 43 that's, that comes back through. Well, it is in the sense that we bring in revenue for an Offset. Well, I understand that part, but I mean, you know, at least when I was looking at the school's website, it gave, uh, salaries, I don't want to read all these crazy numbers, but it's like 36 and a half million non-salary expenses, nine and a half million, and the total was 46 million in change. And both of those lines were part of that.
▶ 54:32 Ward Hamilton: What on the revenue side, Right? This is like when you click on the page, like where I, where I then at the top, I clicked on, you know, Franklin on the homepage, um, and I can send it to you after Sure. But sure. It's, it's there, um, offsets. So, um, you, I think Mr. Councilor Repe, uh, covered that pretty well. But, um, if you could just talk about the ECC revenue, which, um, you know, the budgeted is 5 25, but then the testimony tonight is that was way more than that. Sure. So the, the, the most current, um, and, um, council Hamilton is referring to, uh, the monthly, um, offset report we talk about at our school committee, the first school committee meeting of every month. And so we use that report now
▶ 55:28 to track our progress towards our, our budgeted offsets. Um, and the, the ECC is showing a deficit right now, and that's because we're encumbering salaries. That's part of that process at the beginning of the year, we encumbered all of the salaries we knew in the operating budget, and now we're actually, since we're building budgets in, and we have a budget set in Muni for the ECC, we're encumbering those salaries. So those salaries have been encumbered against money we haven't collected yet for tuitions as we now collected tuitions for the rest of the year that will be applied to that. And we anticipate that the Franklin will not run a deficit for the district, which is progress. When I started the Franklin was in about a $300,000 deficit.
▶ 56:06 So installing budgets, you know, setting tuitions based on actual costs, we're now starting to build. Where, um, where, you know, we won't be running a deficit at the Franklin. I would say that it's a little bit in question about the actual offset budgeted amount, but it won't be a deficit at the Franklin. Okay. I think I just have just a final question. Um, are there any other costs? And I, I, I'm gonna withdraw that. I think Councilor Gar and maybe Steward have already asked this. Thank you. Thank you. Sure. Thank you. Thank you. Any other counselors would like to ask question? Oh, thanks so much. Thank you. Thanks. Uh, counselor. Uh, VAR. Um, hi. I just wanted to follow up. Thank you for, um, the answers that you've already given us.
▶ 56:56 It's been very helpful. Um, I was just curious about some examples of the special ed programs that we don't currently offer in Melrose that we would like to offer and maybe top priorities for what we would bring in. One of them is a language-based program. Um, that's, we are, uh, currently taking a look at bringing that program. We do see multiple students leaving for those types of programs. And I know from where I was before, we built that up through the years. We started in elementary, went to middle, and then now it's right through the high school. Um, so that's one of those, uh, particular areas. Um, I would have, if, if Ms. Berman was here, she'd be able to go into a little more detail on the specifics of different types of programming.
▶ 57:40 Manjula Karamcheti: But I know that's the one initiative that we have that we are going to move forward on. Great. Thank you. Thank you. And I have Counselor Kati. Good Evening. First, I would also like to start by saying thank you for being here, but also to the superintendent. I know students and families, basically our constituents have really appreciated your leadership and having you in our community this year. Your presence, the care you have shown, um, through communication and through community events, I think has really supported Melrose in moving forward in, in healing in many ways. So I really wanna thank you for that. Thank you. And Mr. Kelly, you keep showing up and doing the work despite the complexities of this role,
▶ 58:31 Manjula Karamcheti: and that really goes a long way as well. Thank you for sticking with it and helping us figure out how to move forward in a fiscal fiscally responsible way. Sure. Thank you. Um, kind of extending on the last question. Melrose Public Schools does have great programs and great people, um, depending on what happens with the budget override, sort of all of those pieces, what have you learned about like the critical areas educationally that we need to continue to fund? What are the areas where we need to continue to grow regardless of fiscal challenges? And I think you've mentioned some related to special education, but if there are more, and then I guess just from your time here, what are the areas where we might need to streamline
▶ 59:20 Manjula Karamcheti: and even stop things that we might need to stop doing or stop funding, um, to ensure that all students pre, pre-K to 12, are getting what they need and not just to survive, but to thrive in the Melrose Public Schools? And I know that's a really big question. I don't expect you to have all of the answers, but even just for us as we go into the budget season with school committee, just some look fors for us, um, that we can have in our minds and in our hearts as we try to figure out how to spend our money wisely. Well, what I can tell you is this, Melrose Public Schools is very strong. You have a very strong, um, school system. I know that. And for a fact, from coming to various, you know, starting out in, I was in Revere and Winthrop and Stoneham,
▶ 1:00:10 and then I had the opportunity to come over here to Melrose. Um, you have great programs that are happening at the high school. I mean, your world language programs, middle school, high school, they're, they are just very strong. Uh, you don't see that in multiple areas. You have great fine arts programs that are very strong. Uh, you're working on your, your AP programs at the high school are, are moving students in the right directions. So all of those programs, of course, as you go through it, you want to sustain those. You want to be able to create that. The, the, the fear, of course, is that if you don't continue in where the direction that you're going in, what, what happens of where we're at.
▶ 1:00:57 One of the things that I've learned as I've gone through the process is that we need, we need more boots on the ground. I'm concerned about the middle school. I mean, there's no question about it. I feel that the middle school right now is woefully underfunded. Um, we are lacking positions. We have, uh, an a population of over 300 students per, per class, which is now the new norm. That new norm now has become 300 students, not 275 per grade, not two 50. It's, it's 300. So in order to do that, you need to take a look at that capacity. And then you also have to make sure that yes, it's good to, to maybe you have to increase your teams, but on the flip side, you also have to increase where those students are going to for their cross teams.
▶ 1:01:47 Um, part of the, the issue there is that we have students going to the same courses over and over on the cross team. And that's not fair to the student. That's not effective. What they want and what they need. And so I do think that part of our concerns at the middle school behaviorally and different types of things that have occurred and stuff is because we need more teaching in there. We need more teachers there. We need more of that to happen. Um, and as you know, you go through IIII really do though, and, and I've said this many times with the school committee, and many times when I've talked in public of really communicating, I've had an opportunity this year to talk to many parents, to some of you folks here in this room, school committee,
▶ 1:02:41 um, teachers, educators, students. And they take a lot of pride in their school. They take a lot of pride. And so my goal, of course, is to figure out how do we move forward and how do we make sure that the goal of Melrose Public Schools is going to continue into where it's at? And so I'm, that's what I'm doing right now, is taking a look at all of those areas that I feel need support. And are there areas where maybe we don't need as much? I'm hesitant on that, and I'm hesitant on it because there's a, you know, it's, it's a giant puzzle and there are things that have to work together because what will happen is there will be a rippling effect if some services aren't there versus some others.
▶ 1:03:37 But, you know, we, we have to do what we have to do and we, we take a look at it. And, um, so right now we're working with the principals daily to make sure that they have what they need. And, um, just learning a lot of the system. And I'm, I'm excited to share that information with the incoming superintendent as we move forward. Um, you know, I, I will tell you this, I have thoroughly, and I continue to thoroughly enjoy my time in Melrose, despite missing Hilton Head this time of year. I don't like the cold, but here we are now. Um, but no, I really have, and it's because, you know, the, the, the reason I'm gonna tell you the reason why I chose to come here was because of the commitment, not from just the school committee, but from the community
▶ 1:04:30 and the council. That was a, that was a major, um, I would say movement that you did this last year. I mean, that's an incredible thing to know that you're coming in, there's a lot of issues. This gentleman walks in, you all, you know, you know the situation that he's come into and then we come in. But you wanted to make sure that these kids get what they need to get. And that's important because the one thing that we have to always remember, and it's hard 'cause I served on a school committee. I, I serve on the finance committee in Winthrop, so I understand. But that year, in second grade, or that year in 10th grade, or that year in fifth grade, is that child's only here in that grade. And that's the way I work.
▶ 1:05:20 Mark Garipay: And so I have to make sure I figure out what's best to make sure that that child gets what they deserve at that time. So Thank you very much. Look forward to future conversations. Great, Thank you. Uh, and for this second time we have counselor. Yeah, thank you. Just a couple, couple quick ones. Uh, you, uh, mentioned, uh, with, um, const Stewart that you thought around the April may timeframe you'd be coming last year, um, if I remember correctly, we, there was a order for free cash and then we had to come back again. And when I was looking at the transportation invoices, they were all over the board. Um, and I know that's, that's not you. Uh, but how do we think that's gonna happen again?
▶ 1:06:07 Or do you think when you come in May, we're gonna, that that should be the close to the final number? That's a great question. I would hope that it would be, you know, the final number. You know, I, I, I wish I, I was able to say for sure, um, transportation probably is our most volatile thing right now. So I just, I, you know, I, I would hope that when we come to see you, we are able to, um, I think too, last year was a little bit impacted by the prior years budgeting as well. And so I'm hoping that this year that would not be the case. But to your point, one of the things that we are doing too is making sure that when we hit, we come to May, those pos are being closed. Those companies know we need those Bill, we need everything.
▶ 1:06:45 Mark Garipay: We don't want this stuff coming in July mm-Hmm. And all of that. We want it then My concern is we keep on seeing snowstorms is last year we had no snow and we spent 500,000 of free cash over the budget. Mm-Hmm. Um, so, um, we wanna make sure we can, we can pay all the bills throughout the city. Um, Mr. Hamilton had mentioned, um, the ECC and we've built a budget, which is great. Um, it's kind of a working budget, right? So we we're changing it around and, and, and continuing to, to make it better. But in that budget, Shouldn't we add in to see what the actual cost is of the ECC to? And by the way, I, I, I'm, I'm for the ECI just wanna make sure we're charging the correct tuition, right? Um, shouldn't we add in the health benefits
▶ 1:07:45 Mark Garipay: for the teachers, um, and FICA just to see what the, it's actually costing us. 'cause it is costing the city all that expense. Is it on, it is on the city side, but I mean, it's, it's an expense to, to the ECC. So I, I'd like to see a budget with that added in there just to try to gauge what, what the actual tuition should be. Uh, throwing that out there as a suggestion or, I know it's not a business, but it's, I mean, you gotta, you gotta account for all your costs when you're setting the right, the right fee. That's just a suggestion. Thank You. Um, and then one other thing, I was looking the other day at the 2024 Cherry, cherry sheet, um, which was baffling to me was charter schools. Um, we've got 700,
▶ 1:08:44 Mark Garipay: a little over 700,000 back from the state in chapter 70 70 for charter school, but they reversed 3.8 million mm-Hmm. Um, do you know if there's any, if the state delegation, is there anything they're looking to change that at a state level that that's huge money for this community? One could only hope. Yeah, But I'm sorry, I said one could only hope that they make some of those Changes. You don't, anything we, We do advocate for it. I will tell you, I, I know from, from the mass superintendents, we advocate constantly on that because even though, you know, you saw chapter 70 or the, you know, money increase, well, that also increased too. So where was the savings? You know, that's part of, I mean, where was the,
▶ 1:09:25 Ward Hamilton: the earnings, uh, in that end. So, but that's, we, we, we do deal with. Um, I do have Mel multiple conversations with Senator, uh, Lewis on that. Yeah, I was, I had always heard that, but when I looked at, I was, I was, mm-Hmm. Shocked. Shocked. Um, thank you. Thank you for being here. Thank You. Thank you. Anyone else wishes to ask question? I had a follow up question. It's a, it's a softball. Um, could you talk about the source of the funds that make up the revolving account or accounts? Sure. Um, I guess for my edification and folks watching at home, um, there's revenue coming in from tuitions 1.7 to 1.8 million. And then, um, you know, uh, facility rentals, music, which I assume includes and,
▶ 1:10:21 and lessons and things like that. Like it's instrumental lessons. Yes. So money comes into these accounts, and then does it stay paying for things specific to like music and or does it go to a big general? It'll, it'll pay for those specific areas. So for teachers, it'll come, it'll help support those areas. Education stations is one of our, um, offset accounts too that comes in, but that pays for, it's a whole program. And then on top of that, we still bring revenue in from that. And that's the important part to, to, to see is that when you look at what we project that's coming in, that's on top of already paying for those, um, you know, expenses. Thank you. What is the will of the committee?
▶ 1:11:10 Maya Jamaleddine: What is the will of the committee? Mad shall make a motion to place this on file. Second, we have a motion, uh, to place on file made by, uh, Councillor Stewart. Seconded by Councillor Che. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. Um, Motion to adjourn. Make a motion to adjourn. Second, We have a motion to adjourn by Councilor Sue, seconded by Councillor gpe. Um, all in favor? A. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. We are adjourned. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much.