School Committee Begins Budget Review; Supports "Green" Vehicle Policy

The School Committee reviewed seven sections of the budget, most of which cover contracted amounts, last night, approving four; and also supported, after its first reading, a “green” policy for new school department vehicles.

The policy covers only one vehicle:  the new driver education car, according to Joseph Elia, school assistant superintendent for finance and operations. That car would meet the requirement, he said.

according to committee member Dr. John Wells.

In other action, the committee approved a policy that all school department employees wear photo ID badges—so they are visible—during the school day. The badges will allow access to the schools. Administrators at each school will set policy on what happens if a school employee is not wearing a badge.

Budgetary action

During the 40-minute meeting, the committee reviewed and approved four sections of the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year: salaries for: 

• nurses—$821,000;
• secretaries—just under $1.1 million;
• school committee—$24,600, including $3,000 for each of six committee members plus $3,600 for the chairman and $3,000 for the regional vocational school representative. That amount has remained the same for a number of years, according to committee Chairman Patricia Chisholm.
• pre-retirement system pensions for two individuals—$81,400.

 The committee held three sections of the budget:

• various items—one that includes the cost for substitutes ($300,000), elementary school noontime monitors  (just over $186,000), sick leave, long term illness ($190,000), sick leave buyback (just over $163,000) and salary adjustments and evaluation increases ($305,000) and several smaller costs, totaling just under $1.5 million. Committee members wanted more detail about several items.
• custodians—just under $2.5 million. The committee plans to talk with David Dunkley, school building facilities director, about maintenance activities and needs.
• administration and MIS—$803,000. Wells proposed to look at the technology plan before approving the MIS budget.

Most of the budget items the committee reviewed last night are contractual; “we have to approve them,” said committee member Joseph Crowley.

Crowley asked residents to go and support the school budget at the budget hearing held by the City Council.

Clarifying our , salary step increases are included in the proposed budget for school employees who qualify for them by contract. So is an estimate, based on past experience, for so-called column adjustments for teachers. They are based on earning education credentials.

The committee will meet again on March 22, this coming Tuesday, at 6:30 p.m., in the administrative conference room at the . Committee members will email Chisholm their choices for the sections of the budget for the committee to review next. One of those areas is the high school budget, which includes a proposed new position:  a third assistant principal.