3/24/25 - Tri-Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the 

Monson School Committee

Tri-Board Meeting

March 24, 2025

Present - Finance Committee, Select Board & School Committee: Chair Alison Morgan; Vice-Chair Jamie Murphy; Secretary Karen Nothe-Valley; Committee Member Colleen Flynn; Committee Member Peter Wiggins; Director of Business and Operations Leah Zippin; Interim Superintendent Roland Joyal. 

Note: This meeting was video recorded.

At 7:00 PM Peter Fimognari from the Finance Subcommittee opened their meeting followed by the Select Board and School Committee. 

Mr. Morrell asked student Olivia Chrzan from Monson High School to make her way up to the stage to be recognized for winning Western Mass Basketball player of the year. Olivia was recognized by State Senator Fattman, Representative Ashe and Representative Puppolo. 

Mr. Morrell informed the public that public session would be held this evening at a 3 minute maximum per speaker. - 45 minutes total.

Multiple students from Granite Valley and Monson High School read off personal statements regarding potential cuts and the effects the cuts will have on the students and staff.

Adam Moreau 26 Old Reed Rd / parent of MPS students. Read off personal statements regarding the budget cuts and the effects he believes it will cause. Adam spoke about the enrollment numbers as well as other surrounding towns having funding issues like our small town. Mr. Moreau asked the boards to all work cohesively for the students and staff in our town.

Erica Nissenbaum Butler Rd / parent of MPS students. Concerned about the budget for FY 26 and the cuts we are facing. Erica spoke about the Chapter 70 formula and rural aid, and asked the boards to include residents in decision making.

Adrienne Davis 6 Hampden Court / parent of MPS students & employee at MPS. Concerned about the alarming school budget and the funds that are being given by the town. Adrienne asks the town boards to all work together to give the schools what they need to strive. 

Jennifer Rocketfield-Sias Brimfield Rd / parent of MPS student & employee at MPS. Read off personal statements on what the cuts will look like from a staff perspective and also a parent of an IEP student. 

Nicholas Bates Macomber Rd / parent of MPS students. Nicholas spoke on the elimination of staff and the domino effect it will cause. Nicholas is concerned with the hiring process moving forward once cutting dedicated staff at this time. 

Michelle Loglisci Wales Rd / retired from MPS / grandparent of MPS students. Read off personal statements and the history of MPS not being a priority for the boards in town. Michelle talked briefly on how much it will cost regarding unemployment should the schools move forward with the cuts. Michelle also touched base on IEP services and alternative districts should MPS not be able to provide services for those students. It would ultimately end up costing the district more money with having to send those said students out of the district. 

Senator Fattman explained the state budget process that begins with the Governor presenting the budget in late January/February. From there, that then gives the legislators time to review it before the Ways and Means Committee starts their hearings in March. Senator Fattman also talked briefly on how the House 1-FY26 budget increased the Chapter 70 funding by about 6% - that is an increase of $420 million, to about $6 billion. The entire budget is about $59.6 billion and that is an increase of about 7% over last year. Senator Fattman stated that the State passed a student opportunity act which changed the funding formula for Chapter 70. Last year, after the House and Senate reconciled their budgets per pupil aid went up to $104. Senator Fattman is hopeful that this year it will get up to $150 per pupil. Special education costs have also risen and the problem is when the threshold kicks in. 

Senator Fattman touched on the two public hearings coming up this week, there is one in Worcester and another in Clinton. Senator Fatmann also informed the public that anyone can attend and submit a testimony to help the committee understand the budget concerns. He also suggested reaching out to the Mass Municipal Association to ask them to advocate for increasing the Chapter 70 circuit breaker - and that’s scheduled to go up 2.2%. 

Representative Ashe thanks the public, students and staff showing up this evening, and how the seniors and the students are the biggest responsibility for our community. Rep. Ashe stated how tricky the budget gets down the road. As of right now, Massachusetts will receive $17 billion from the government, should they decide not to cut anything from the budget. Rep. Ashe expressed that he understands how difficult it is being on the boards, but it’s good for everyone to hear the concerns and to lead by example. 

Representative Puppolo thanked everyone in attendance for being here this evening. Rep. Puppolo stated that his office is always open for communication regarding any concerns. Rep. Puppolo thanked the parents and students who came out this evening and presented during open session. Rep. Puppolo said that his office is currently putting together the house budget, and finishing up FY25 at this time. For FY26, it looks like it will be about $62 billion. Rep. Puppolo talked about the different variables within the house budget. They are looking to raise Chapter 70 money, regional school money as well as regional school transportation, they are also looking to raise local aid. Rep. Puppolo informed the public that all school districts seem to be facing the same financial issues and the three of them collectively agree that the formula needs to be reviewed. 

Finance Director: Jamie Farnum- Budget Review Report

Ms. Farnum thanked everyone for attending and all of those who talked this evening. Ms. Farnum proceeded to present the FY26 budget. 

Ms. Farnum stated that at the January Tri-Board meeting they were $1.4 million dollars over in budget requests.

On the town side, they reviewed budget requests and cut out about $500,000.

Ms. Farnum thanked the School Committee for their hard work with creating the different scenarios that have recently been presented reflecting cuts that equal $786,000 on the schools side to bring forward.

Peter Fimognari - Finance Committee member: Briefly discussed his views of the School Committee from 2012 - present. Mr. Fimognari also discussed the pool at Quarry Hill, followed by enrollment numbers, and also touched on the topic of COVID-19 from March 2020-2021 regarding returning money to the town as he heard that Pathfinder had done so. Mr. Fimognari also discussed the district's Director of Maintenance position as well as the truck and plow that is utilized for the school's facilities. Peter also discussed an electric bill that was approved at a special town meeting to be paid on the schools behalf. Peter wonders how accurate the school's budget is? In Mr. Fimognari’s opinion, he believes the committee should go with $75,000 over last year’s school operating budget. 

School Committee Chair: Mrs. Morgan understands that there were many requests from departments that weren’t able to be funded, but to say that the school department has not come forward in the past to request an increase is not completely accurate, requests have been made just never been able to be met. Mrs. Morgan presented the committees with historical school data throughout the years regarding the budget, enrollment numbers, positions cut, etc. 

-Document will be attached.

2020 - initial request was $10.9 million and received $10.77 million.

2021 - requested $10.77 million and received $10.77  million.

2022 - requested $10.76 and received $10.77 million 

2023 - requested $10.8 million and received $10.77 million. - In this year the electricity line was reduced from $226,000 to $41,000 making the budget that year $10,559 million. With this it resulted in 6 positions cut.

2024 - asked for $10.9 million and received $10.6 million. - With this there was a reduction of 15 staff members.

Mrs. Morgan discussed the utilities line going up 26%, having to charge for athletics when other districts don’t charge around us, and that special education costs have also increased significantly. Mrs. Morgan commented on how creative the building principals have to be and to be able to have the classroom supports that are needed. As of right now, the School Committee is looking to cut 12.5 positions in the district. Mrs. Morgan talked briefly about the survey that was sent out to staff regarding the possibility of consolidation of buildings.  

Maureen O'Sullivan - Finance Committee: Asked if PreK comes out of this budget? Mrs. Morgan confirmed that PreK is in this budget - that it’s PreK-12. Ms. O’Sullivan asked if PreK is mandatory? Mrs. Morgan stated that PreK is not mandatory but for special education it is mandated that the students must have a classroom setting with peers. Mrs. Morgan stated that the students who are not in special education are charged to attend. 

The Finance Committee and the School Committee talked in length regarding ESSER grant money and also went over the School Committee's historical budget document.

Mrs. Morgan touched base on the topic of consolidating buildings to help with the budget. If the School Committee decides to move forward with consolidation they might ask the town to consider a one time fee to help with the move. 

Mr. Warren asked about the capital request by Mr. DeMaio - Director of Facilities. Mr. Warren asked regarding the request as there are a lot of things on here such as; two roofs, boiler, sidewalks. 

-Interim Superintendent Mr. Joyal stated that Ms. Farnum and Ms. Wolowicz asked all departments what projects they would be anticipating in the future and to create a list. 

Mr. Joyal stated that over the past 10 years the schools have roughly been in the $10.7 range and based on the true number side of things, that departments have been relatively lucky that the schools have not asked for more.

Mr. Joyal stated that with his short time here he has learned a lot, and with the mini tri-board meetings everyone is able to see what it takes to run a school system.

Mr. Joyal stated that the town has a 3% increase in terms of their side of the budget, and has offered 1% to the schools. Mr. Joyal asks the committees if the schools are receiving a proportional number for the increased revenue? 

Mrs. Morgan followed with the ways that the School Committee has thought outside of the box with the consolidation option and with that comes the possibility of renting out space within the buildings to other programs to provide some revenue. If they did decide to consolidate the School Committee might ask the town to consider a one time fee to help with the move. Mrs. Morgan briefly discussed some repairs that they know would be needed to proceed with the possibility of consolidation. 

Mrs. Morgan stated that if they proceeded with the consolidation process - the restructure would look like:

PreK - 6 grade at Quarry Hill

CBO / transportation / extend program at Granite Valley

Grade 7 - 12 & VIP program at Monson High

Ms. Farnum discussed town department staffing positions and how they are operating on minimal staff across the board. Ms. Farnum also briefly discussed indirect costs, debt services, and health insurance benefits. In 2020/2021 the town had to do a free cash transfer to cover the $200,000 difference. Ms. Farnum believes that we need to continue these discussions to ensure this level of transparency so everyone is aware of the budget on all sides.

Ms. Oney thanks Mr. Joyal and the School Committee for the collaboration since Mr. Joyal has joined as interim superintendent. Ms. Oney stated she has not had this level of transparency or collaboration in the 4 years since being on the Select Board, but would like for the people to understand that part of the reason we got to the point where we are is because we haven’t had this level of communication. Ms. Oney stated that they have never seen a long-term plan and that's why Mr. Warren had the reaction that he had regarding the capital planning request - that was requested from Ms. Farnum and Ms. Wolowicz. Ms. Oney’s opinion is that the School Committee has not been as involved with the budget process as they should have.

Ms. Oney asked how is Mr. Joyal being paid and that no one has asked since January? Ms. Oney also expressed her concerns of still paying the former superintendent until the contract date ends. 

Mrs. Zippin discussed the staff changes that have taken place with people retiring, not filling a couple of positions and some rural aid money as well. Mrs. Zippin reiterated that this is on top of cutting positions as well.

Mrs. Morgan stated to the committees that the School Committee has changed a lot of how they do things this year to ensure that level of communication remains open. Mrs. Morgan discussed the historical budget document that reflects the budget, cuts, grants, etc, throughout the years. Mrs. Morgan noted that herself, Mrs. Zippin, Mr. Joyal and other members of the School Committee have been working diligently together to come up with this budget to make it all happen and move forward in the right direction.

Mr. Joyal discussed how his salary is being paid, as some staff have left mid year and have not been replaced as well as a little tighter with the spending all around across the district.

Mr. Morrell asked the School Committee if they did happen to have a request for a certain number, could they provide to the Select Board with where exactly those funds would go? 

Ms. Farnum stated that as a town they are required to have an audit of grant funds and all types of spending annually at a cost of $29,000. The audit for the school is paid with $5,000 of those funds.

Mr. Parkes from the Finance Committee thanked Mrs. Morgan and the School Committee for their transparency and guidance throughout this budget process and look forward to building on that foundation. 

Ms. Farnum asked Mrs. Morgan if the $10,844,619 budget presented this evening was the budget that the School Committee voted on - and transportation at $62,040? 

Mrs. Morgan confirmed that was correct. 

Ms. Farnum stated that we have an available capacity of $19,000 and that leaves another $132,000 that we have to come up with.

Ms. Farnum went on to list the recommendations on things that we can do. One is to head back to the town side and try to cut out $132,000. The other option is a debit payment for capital projects. The debt payment was $1.4 million in capital projects that did not come as a debt exclusion and is being paid out of the operating revenue in FY22. This funded the school retention pond, Silver St bridge, a fire truck, and Hillside demolition. That debt payment goes from FY22 to FY29. In FY26 the debt payment budgeted is, $240,000 and in FY27 it goes down to $70,000. The option would be to offset the debt payment with $132,000 in free cash and then going into FY27 that operating capacity would become available, and at that point we wouldn’t be reliant on free cash. The last option would be discussing override options for operating expenses.

Ms. Farnum stressed that these options will not be available every year, but believes that using free cash would be the most comfortable option at this time with the least amount of disruptions. 

The committees briefly discussed the option of override. 

Mrs. Morgan discussed rural aid and how the School Committee has reached out to the legislators. 

Ms. Farnum believes that having the monthly mini tri-board meetings is a great way to keep the communication open between all committees. 

Ms. Farnum discussed using $196,000 from free cash and that would offset the $24,000 lease payment for the maintenance truck, $43,000 for the highway truck, and the $132,000 as discussed for the $1.4 million bond. The bond payment will decrease from FY26 - FY27, and we could then use the $196,000 to help balance the budget in FY26. In FY27 we wouldn’t have to continue to use free cash, because that debt service would continue to reduce and we would be within the capacity.

The finance committee took a vote to approve the recommendation of balancing the budget with $196,000 in free cash. 

The vote passed unanimously. 

Mrs. Morgan asked Ms. Farnum regarding the one time request for the moving consolidation and when the list of to-do’s would be needed? Ms. Farnum advised Mrs. Morgan to send Ms. Wolowicz an email and they will put a placeholder in for the warrant article. 

At 9:53 Mrs. Morgan made a motion to adjourn the School Committee portion of the Tri-Board meeting. Ms. Flynn seconds.

The Finance Committee and Select Board adjourned their meetings.

Documentation for this meeting:

History of Monson School Budget History of Monson School Budget March 24, 2025

Approved by Committee:

________________________________________

Ms. Nothe-Valley, Secretary

Tri Board Meeting Minutes 3.24.25.pdf

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