Regular Meeting of the Amherst School Committee

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

High School Library

 

Present:            Elaine Brighty, Chair                                Jere Hochman, Superintendent

                        Chrystel Romero (left at 10:09 p.m.)        Rob Detweiler, Director of Finance & Operations

                        Andy Churchill                                         Press

                        Kathleen Anderson                                  Public

                                                                                       Debbie Westmoreland, Recorder

                                                                                      

Absent:  Sonia Correa-Pope

 

1.  Welcome                                                                                                    9:50 p.m.

A. & B.  Call to Order/Agenda Review—Mr. Churchill called the Amherst meeting to order at 9:50 p.m.

C.   Minutes—None

 

2.  Announcements and Public Comments                                                   None

There were no announcements or public comments.

 

3.  Superintendent’s Update                                                                         None

 

4.  Unfinished/Continuing Business                                                              9:54 p.m.

A.  FY09 Budget Discussion— Mr. Detweiler distributed and reviewed the Amherst budget worksheet.  He noted that if the FY09 budget is level funded with only the known cost increases, it will require an increase over FY08 of 8.4%, or $1,643,750.  In order to meet the Amherst Finance Committee guideline of a 2% increase, cuts would be required totaling $1,254,616.00.  Dr. Hochman noted that such a level services budget retains the staffing needed to retain class sizes as they are currently, after taking care of the hot spots that developed when the school year started.  Mr. Churchill asked what factors account for the major difference between the gaps in the Regional budget and the Amherst budget. Dr. Hochman noted that the Regional budget ended up having a 3% increase last year while the Amherst budget increase stayed at 1%.  As a result, additional staffing that was added was not included in the base budget last year.  Also, he stated that the effects of the new charter school are now being seen at the elementary level.  Mr. Detweiler noted that health insurance is another major factor.  Costs are much higher for the Amherst budget, purely as a function of who has enrolled for health insurance.  Dr. Hochman stated that making cuts of this magnitude is extremely drastic, and will redefine what we do as a district.  He noted that we will be persistent in painting the picture for the town of what the schools and budget should look like, now and three years out.  Mr. Churchill asked that as the budget process goes forward we be absolutely clean on the numbers so we can advocate effectively.  He noted that there is a proposed special Town Meeting to talk about budget needs, with the assumption that Town Meeting members will be able to own the problem along with the School Committee.  Dr. Hochman stated that the district will be absolutely transparent throughout the budget process.  Steve Rivkin, community member, asked if there has been consideration of reaching a three-year contract with staff that is contingent on revenues in each year.  He also asked if thought has been given to trying to galvanize community support to help make up the deficit privately.  Ms. Brighty explained that, while private donations are wonderful, they cannot be used to support the operating budget.  With regard to the contract question, Dr. Hochman noted that the district and School Committee are very mindful of such options and they are considered during the negotiation process. He noted that private fundraising has been kicked up a notch over the past few years, noting that the Amherst Education Foundation significantly increased their fund-raising last year.   Ms. Anderson asked if there may be ways of compensating employees creatively, such as providing a tax break to those who are Amherst residents.  Dr. Hochman said that a number of districts nationwide have implemented such creative compensation methods.

 

B.  School Choice—This item was tabled.

 

5.  New Business                                                                                None

 

6.  Reports                                                                                          None

 

7.  Sub-Committee Reports                                                               10:28 p.m.

A.  Schools Organization Committee—Mr. Churchill reported that the committee has met a few times and they have developed a draft document that summarizes their research on the topic and lays out a number of organization scenarios.  They hope to bring a report to the Amherst School Committee in the spring.

 

8.  School Committee Planning                                                          None

A.  Calendar Review

B.  Items for Upcoming Meetings

 

9.  Adjournment                                                                                  10:30 p.m.

Ms. Anderson made a motion to adjourn at 10:30 p.m.  Ms. Brighty seconded and the motion passed unanimously. 

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Debbie Westmoreland

 

Approved 3/25/08