May 17, 2016 Budget Sub Meeting

Agenda

Quincy School Committee
Budget and Finance Subcommittee
Mrs. Emily Lebo, Chair
Coddington Building
Tuesday, May 17, 2016, 5:00 p.m

  1. Review of Subsidized Services - Mr. Mullaney
    (Athletics, Building Rentals, Food Services, Transportation)

  2. FY2017 Budget Options & Priorities - Dr. DeCristofaro

  3. Adjournment

Minutes

Quincy School Committee
Budget & Finance Subcommittee Meeting
Tuesday, May 17, 2016

A meeting of the Budget & Finance Subcommittee was held on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at 5:00 pm in the Coddington Building. Present were Mayor Thomas Koch, Mr. Paul Bregoli, Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Ms. Barbara Isola, and Mrs. Emily Lebo, Chair. Also attending were Superintendent DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Ms. Beth Hallett, Mr. James Mullaney, Mrs. Maura Papile, Mrs. Erin Perkins, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Kevin Segalla; Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.

Mrs. Lebo called the Budget & Finance Subcommittee meeting to order at 5:00 pm. Dr. DeCristofaro announced to School Committee that as there are no students requiring the services of the Quincy Teen Mothers Program beyond this year’s graduating class, Quincy Public Schools will no longer have this program in the Bethany location. Should future needs arise for student support in this area, the program will be re-designed using a school-based model. First established in 1978, the Quincy Teen Mothers Program has served many students and families, successfully supporting them in continuing education and attaining high school diplomas.

Director of Business James Mullaney then reviewed the Subsidized Services areas of the Quincy Public Schools budget. The areas of Athletics, Building Rentals, Food Services, and Transportations partly operate under a revolving account model, where receipts are used for specific expenses. For all four areas, the fees are established by School Committee Policy.

For Food Services, rates are set by School Committee Policy, but are also subject to minimum meal charges established by the National School Lunch Program. All Food Services staff are funded through this revolving account with the exception of Lunch Attendants. The recommendation is to retain current prices for breakfast and lunch for the 2016-2017 school year.

Building Rental fees cover the Custodial salaries associated with the rentals as well as the building utility costs. The recommendation is to retain the existing rate structure for the 2016-2017 school year, with a sliding scale for Quincy youth groups, Quincy adult groups, and outside Quincy groups.

Transportation fees are charged for students living within 1.5 miles of their neighborhood elementary school and for field trips. Transportation fees are used to pay driver salaries and also maintenance. Additional costs associated with transportation of Special Education students within and outside the district, transporting students to neighborhood elementary schools beyond 1.5 miles from school, and homeless students are carried in the Quincy Public Schools budget. The recommendation is to retain the existing rate structure for the 2016-2017 school year. For the 2015-2016 school year, of the 534 students transported, 130 students paid transportation user fees. Students who are eligible for free and reduced meals do not pay transportation fees.

The Athletics revolving account funding is from user fees and gate expenses. The recommendation is to retain the existing fee structure for the 2016-2017 school year.

970 individual high school students (out of approximately 2,620 total) participate in at least one sport (36% participation overall). 110 students are three-sport athletes (11%) and 276 are two-sport athletes (28%). At North Quincy High School, 33% of female students participate in at least one sport, 35% of male students participate in at least one sport, for an average of 34% overall. At Quincy High School, 29% of female students participate in at least one sport, 48% of male students participate in at least one sport, for an average of 38% overall.

Mrs. Lebo asked about Athletics ending cash, which has declined from last year. Mr. Mullaney said there has been spending over the last three years to replace uniforms and equipment that were not replaced during the years of budget cuts. The rate of spending should decrease in future years.

Mayor Koch would like School Committee to consider reducing fees for transportation or athletics. Mrs. Hubley asked for consideration of reducing field trip transportation fees for PTOs. Dr. DeCristofaro said we will provide a breakdown of annual PTO transportation costs.

Mrs. Lebo noted that very few people pay bus fees (130 total) and asked for a breakdown by school.

Mayor Koch requested information on free and reduced lunch eligibility by school.

Mrs. Lebo asked about middle school Athletics fees; most sports are $25. Mrs. Hubley asked for the breakdown of middle school athletics fees by school and sport.

Mrs. Lebo asked if the coaches’ salary rates are contractual; Mr. Mullaney said both middle and high school coaches are paid under the QEA Unit A contract rates. Mrs. Lebo asked if middle school athletic programs run only if there is enough interest and this was confirmed.

Mr. Bregoli asked about middle school intramural director stipends. Dr. DeCristofaro said they are currently paid the same amount at each school. There is discussion about large school and small middle school stipends to balance out participation levels. Mrs. Lebo asked for and received confirmation that all middle school coaches are middle school teachers.

Mrs. Lebo noted that there is an additional Budget & Finance Subcommittee meeting scheduled for May 25. She asked School Committee to review the additional information that will be shared and then a decision can be made about whether the meeting is needed.

Mrs. Hubley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 pm. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and on a voice vote, the ayes have it.