The Rochester School Committee will need a little more time to dig into its FY25 operational budget now that the state has weighed in.
Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson told the committee during its January 25 public meeting that the reason the budget subcommittee meeting originally planned for the same day was not held because the state had just released budgetary information on Chapter 70 funding that would more strongly inform the ORR budget process.
The new information will be taken into account, and the Budget Subcommittee planned to convene to digest the FY25 outlook equipped with that important knowledge.
Meantime, Nelson stressed the importance of collaboration with town officials, the Rochester Finance Committee, and other stakeholders in preparing a budget that the district can confidently bring to Town Meeting in the spring.
Nelson said he has been in touch with Town Administrator Glenn Cannon and believes the ORR Administration and Rochester School Committee are keeping in step with the town’s budget timeline.
In addressing the committee, ORR Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations Howie Barber summarized six departments that will influence budgetary increases for FY25, including the school itself, Central Office, facilities, Student Services, Technology and transportation.
RMS will see the most significant increase of the FY25 school budget, approximately $170,000 due to union contracts. “We tried to keep level across everything else in the school,” said Barber, adding that at this point there are no recommendations for cuts.
Transportation is anticipating a $116,305 increase for FY25.
ORR’s literacy initiative and curriculum costs account for $35,000 of the projected $47,839 increase in the Central Office portion. While the literacy program was launched on grant funding, FY25 operational-budget increases are being considered necessary to sustain the program.
Barber further noted that Rochester’s state-funded circuit breaker for FY25 student services has dropped by approximately $25,000.
The Initial School Choice Discussion was on the January 25 agenda, and Rochester historically has not been a School Choice district (i.e. ORR High School and ORR Junior High open their doors to out-of-district students but not RMS.) A public hearing will be scheduled for the Rochester School Committee to vote its decision on the RMS disposition for the 2024-25 school year.
In answer to committee member Robin Rounseville’s question, Nelson clarified that there has been no increase to the $5,000 regular reimbursement for School Choice students for FY25. In the case of special needs, a School Choice district can claim reimbursement for a student’s Individual Education Plan and/or special student services.
In answer to committee member Kate Duggan’s question, Nelson explained that each school district within the ORR District acts independently where it concerns School Choice, that a school committee’s annual decision to discontinue being a School Choice district cannot end a School Choice student’s attendance until that student has aged out of the school.
Committee member Anne Fernandes asked if RMS has maximized its space; Nelson said the school leases some space to Countryside Child Care and to the Southeastern Massachusetts Education Collaborative (SMEC.)
In her Chairperson’s Report, Sharon Hartley said she is reviewing meetings minutes and working on the RMS report to inform the Town of Rochester budget process.
Nelson reported that as of January 25, RMS was scheduled to add make-up days at the end of the school year.
Dr. Shari Fedorowicz, ORR’s assistant superintendent of Teaching & Learning, said monthly data and implementation meetings are being held for the district-wide literacy program. Professional development was being planned for January 31.
RMS Principal Heidi Letendre credited the jazz band and other RMS musicians for their performances during a busy December season. She also noted that Project 351 ambassadors are meeting monthly.
The committee discussed and voted to approve “the 274 Grant” for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part B (IDEA.) The Federal Targeted Special Education Program Improvement Grant in the amount of $8,731 supports the new Individual Education Plan (IEP.)
Also approved was the $50,000 Fund Code 125 Math Acceleration Academies Grant that supports the district’s math Acceleration academies.
In his report, Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations Howie Barber told the committee that approximately $397,000 in unencumbered money remains in the FY24 operating budget.
In reviewing the prior meeting’s minutes, Fernandes sought clarification on a “safe-and-secure” program discussed but not implemented.
Nelson explained that the administration is sensitive to the faculty’s and students’ “initiative fatigue” and, based on feedback from teachers and citing the district’s priority on the literacy program, it’s been decided to wait on bringing the program forward to the committee for the vote required to enact an implementation plan.
The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, February 29, at 6:30 pm at Rochester Memorial School.
Rochester School Committee
By Mick Colageo