Minutes for Amherst School Committee meeting of October 16, 2006

Joint meeting with Select Board, Library Trustees, and Finance Committee

Town Room, AmherstTown Hall

Present: Alisa Brewer                                        Select Board members         

              Tom Flittie                                           Finance Committee members

              Andy Churchill, chair                          Library trustees

              Elaine Brighty                                      Larry Schafer, Town Manager

              Jere Hochman, Superintendent            John Musante, Town Finance Director

              Press and public

Absent: Sonia Correa Pope                  

Mr. Churchill called the School Committee meeting to order at 7:04. 

The purpose of the meeting was for all four major boards and committees to hear Mr. Musante’s preliminary financial projections for FY08 budget planning. 

Mr. Musante provided a packet of information to accompany his talk, and he explained the assumptions about revenue and expenditures that he had built into his model.  The resulting projection for Amherst produced a deficit of 3.3 million dollars.  He ended with a list of options for various revenue and expenditure categories which could change the FY08 financial picture.

Mr. Kusner, a member of the Amherst Select Board, pointed out the inherent conflict between a tax rate limited to annual increases of 2 1/2 and inflation which increases costs faster than revenue.  He concluded that this can result in the need for an override at some point in the future.

Mr. Musante reminded people that a newly elected governor has until February 21 to present his proposed budget, a month later than usual.  He also stated that even if local aid from the state increased by the full 13% that some groups have proposed, it would be insufficient to cover our entire fiscal problem.

The motion to adjourn the School Committee meeting was made by Ms. Brighty and seconded by Mr. Flittie.  The vote was unanimous.

The Amherst School Committee adjourned at 7:55

submitted by Elaine Brighty