FinCom bolsters school budget but reductions loom

Armed with an additional spending recommendation of $1.8 million from the Finance Committee to help alleviate budget deficits in FY18 and FY19, the Canton School Committee is ready to come into the May town meeting with a healthy budget increase of 5.4 percent for the next school year.

However, even with the additional money, School Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Fischer-Mueller still has to trim the FY19 budget or reallocate resources to the tune of $960,313.

While the current operating budget proposal ($42.7M) is similar to the one originally approved by the schools back in January, the difference is in the amount of funds allocated to special education costs, particularly for out-of-district tuition and transportation.

That portion of the budget has fallen deep into the red over the last few months due to several new out-of-district placements — prompting school officials to shift their focus from proposed “enhancements,” including new staff and programs, to cost-saving measures and potential cuts.

Fischer-Mueller, speaking at the April 12 School Committee meeting, said that school officials are now working on reallocating funds to cover the special education deficit as well as “strategically hire new staff in support of the strategic framework.”

“Unfortunately, to achieve both, a small number of positions will be eliminated or reduced,” she said.

Fischer-Mueller said class sizes will generally remain the same, although there could be some classrooms that see a small increase.

The superintendent said she greatly appreciates the support of the Finance Committee and Finance Director Jim Murgia in helping to address the FY18 and FY19 deficits.

“These recommendations represent FinCom’s understanding of and commitment to educating all Canton children at a high standard,” she said.

She personally thanked the members of the Finance Committee, which includes Chairman Rob Barker and members Tim McKenna (vice chair), Cindy Thomas, Barbara St. Andre, Cynthia Holcombe and Nicola Gallagher. Barker and Thomas are former School Committee members and chairmen, and Gallagher is now the newest member of the School Committee after being elected on April 3.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Apr 20 2018. Filed under News, Schools, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.