Committee Will Push Forward With Burlington School Finance Review

BURLINGTON, MA -- Last month, Burlington Town Meeting shot down a warrant article that would have set aside money to conduct a full review of the school department's finances. In a letter submitted to Patch on Friday, three town meeting members said the Burlington Ways and Means Committee will conduct the review, based on the support the article received in the form of 400 signatures from residents on a petition.

The full text of their letter follows:

An article was presented at the September 2018 Town Meeting requesting funding for a written report from an independent accountant about the School’s undetected deficit totaling $700,000 from last year.

As part of that article, more than 400 registered voters signed a citizen petition requesting a review of the School Department’s financial accounts, which, based on Burlington’s General Bylaws, obligates the Ways and Means Committee to conduct an independent review and report of the Burlington School Department Financial Accounts. Although the article for funding did not pass at Town Meeting, Ways and Means is still obligated to perform this review.

Following Town Meeting, in early October, an official request was made to the Ways and Means Chair inquiring as to how they plan to address their obligation under the Bylaw. Proponents of the review also sent Ways and Means several questions related to the undetected deficit in the belief that by answering these questions in a formal written report, Ways and Means could resolve their obligation under the Bylaw and restore credibility to the School Administration. As Ways and Means members have expressed concern about the timing of their workload vis-à-vis the time required for this review, it is hoped that by working together we can address these issues before the start of their 2019 budget season which begins in January.

Thanks to all of you who signed the petition requesting action, accountability and answers. In support of your request, the proponents of the warrant article plan to see this request through to its conclusion and to provide future updates.

Respectfully,

Eileen Sickler, TMM, Precinct 4

Betsey Hughes, TMM, Precinct 7

Shari Ellis, TMM, Precinct 3

More on this story:

• More Than 300 Vendors Owed Money By Burlington Public Schools
• Burlington Schools Will Ask Town Meeting For $700,000

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Patch file photo via Shutterstock.