2016-17 Westfield School Committee (WNG file photo)
WESTFIELD – On Wednesday, the Finance sub-committee reviewed the FY18 line item budget of the Westfield Public Schools with the majority of the administrative team and the full School Committee in attendance. Chair Kevin Sullivan thanked everyone for coming to the meeting.
In remarks about the budget as a whole, Sullivan noted the advancements in each of the things the district has been trying to attain, such as smaller class sizes, reaching out to the business community, an alternative high school, technology and maintenance issues. He said that the budget tries to address all of these priorities.
Sullivan said the bottom line is a budget at $60,345,300. He said 80% of the budget is personnel costs, which is a lower percentage than in recent years. “The past couple of years it was creeping up to 82-83%, with nothing left for other things.” He said what they are left with at this point in time, adding in the money in the Governor’s budget of $532,000 for Westfield, is $913,000 over last year. “That is the crux of the matter,” Sullivan said.
“The number was $2.9 million. The administration has done a great job getting that down,” said Ramon Diaz, Jr., a member of the Finance sub-committee. Diaz also commented that the district has had to dip into revolving accounts, such as school choice funds, which are designed to supplement the budget, not be used for the primary operation.
Sullivan said some of the big costs are associated with 82 out-of-district placements, 14 vocational and 68 special education students. “Having the numbers front and center is helpful,” he added.
Diaz said that 68 out of district special education students is a significantly lower number than in comparable districts, saying the district has done a good job of keeping special education programs going.
When questioned about the out-of-district vocational students, WPS Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said all 14 were in Animal Sciences, which is not offered at Westfield Technical Academy. He said next year the number will be 13. Sullivan also noted that overall the WTA enrollment has increased, which has helped the bottom line.
Sullivan said that an employment contract approved last year eliminated severance pay over the next three years in exchange for step and longevity pay increases. Unit A employees had a chance last year and in FY18 to retire with full severance, with the following year (FY19) at 75%, and FY20 at 50%. By FY21, severance will be eliminated.
Human services director Paula Ceglowski said that to date the district has 13 confirmed retirements, and five waiting for confirmation. She added If they didn’t give notice by August 25 of last year, they won’t avail themselves of severance.
“That’s why we spiked next year,” explained WPS business manager Ron Rix. He said the number will be $300,000 less the two following years.
Some of the positions being vacated will remain unfilled, and other new positions are being added due to state requirements. For example, the Aviation Maintenance Technology program is currently required to hire a second teacher when a new class of freshmen is added next year, bringing the total to three grades in the new program.
Diaz said it will have to be someone with a passion for teaching, like current AMT instructor Galen Wilson, because more money can be made in the career itself. Diaz said he would keep his fingers crossed that they find somebody.
Another vacancy that the district is looking to fill is an English Language Learner (ELL) supervisor. “We thought it was needed,” Czaporowski said. He said there are legal requirements to follow with the new students, including schools records and assessments. He said an ELL supervisor would also evaluate teachers.
Denise Ruszala, WPS director of assessment and accountability who has been filling in the role this year, said to date there have been 100 new ELL students, 45 of whom are refugees. Ruszala said they have been coming into the district at the rate of seven per week, and she anticipates that will continue.
In response to questions, Ruszala said that 21 of the refugee students came in as Level 1, or beginners in English, and half of them are high school age. She said the district keeps informed of new arrivals.
Other new positions in the budget include a technology teacher at Westfield High School, as well as a professional coordinator for a revamped Career Center. WHS principal Charles Jendrysik said the coordinator could be a teacher or someone from the business community.
Also in the budget is a special education and regular education teacher for an Alternative High School, which the district hopes to open next year for at-risk student. Kevin Sullivan asked if the numbers would change if the school opens in another location. Czaporowski said the staff would move with the program.
Sullivan also asked if there is an agreement with the Boys & Girls Club to open the alternative school there during the day. Rix said the program may have to go through a competitive request for proposal process if the costs reach a certain threshold.
Also needed is funding to continue the Pathways after school program for the high school, which started on a grant this year.
A special education supervisor position is also vacant, which Ceglowski said is difficult to fill. Kevin Sullivan asked if Ceglowski had put enough money in HR advertising. She responded that she is doing everything electronically through School Spring.
In the discussion about the middle schools, Czaporowski said some of the larger items needed have been put on hold, because the district is changing the model the following year through redistricting.
In a review of administrative expenses, Czaporowski said that research shows the district is not top heavy. Rix said administration is 1.81% of the budget and administrative costs have been reduced from $1.8 million in 2011, to $1.4 million in FY18.
“We ask the superintendant to look at positions furthest away from children. I have no questions, I know that it’s being worked on. I would ask the administration to look at positions and see if there’s anything there, if we have to make reductions,” said Finance sub-committee member Cynthia Sullivan.
Regarding technology, Kevin Sullivan said it was good to see a line item for replacement of tech equipment. “I hope to see if we can improve on it,” he said. Rix responded that the district has been building that up the last couple of years. He said they’ve also been adding technology to the elementary schools that is easy to pick up and move, knowing that classes are going to be moved around.
Sullivan also noted $94,000 savings in utilities. Rix said based on projections, electric will go up next year, but fuel, gas and oil will go down. Rix said the district has invested money in HVAC work, to become more efficient and save money in the long term. He said they also saved $10,500 in telecommunications by reducing faxes, and phone lines.
Rix also pointed to the work transportation director Pamela Kotarski did on busing, which saved the district $300,000.
“More kids are on buses in the morning, but none are full after school. There will always be kids who stay for after school programs,” said Cynthia Sullivan. Kotarski said the ridership has increased.
The budget also has a reduction in curriculum, textbooks, and workbooks. Curriculum director Susan Dargie said they made a significant purchase last year for science, but determined this would not be a good year to make purchases.
Maintenance priorities in the budget include removing the oil tank at Abner Gibbs and replacing the tank at Westfield High School. The high school needs a sewage pipe and a new roof, which are not funded. Rix also listed projects that need to be done at Franklin Ave., Abner Gibbs and Fort Meadows.
Kevin Sullivan said the Finance sub-committee would take a hard look at the budget, and make recommendations to the mayor before moving the budget forward. He said it is important to make sure they understand the budget, and appreciated the early roll-out. “We may have to make some tough decisions,” he said.
“The bottom line is we may have to make reductions in that $900,000,” Cynthia Sullivan said.
“You have done a great job. Your materials helped us to get through in 1 ½ hours rather than in three,” added Diaz, before the meeting ended.
