Minutes
Quincy School Committee
Budget & Finance Subcommittee Meeting
Monday, April 13, 2015
A meeting of the Budget and Finance Subcommittee was held on Monday, April 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm
in the Coddington Building. Present were Mr. Paul Bregoli, Ms. Barbara Isola, Mrs. Anne Mahoney,
Mr. Dave McCarthy, and Mrs. Kathryn Hubley, Chair. Also attending were Superintendent
DeCristofaro, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Mulvey, Mrs. Kathryn Clancy, Mr. Michael Draicchio, Mrs.
Mary Fredrickson, Mr. James Mullaney, Mrs. Maura Papile, Ms. Madeline Roy, Mr. Keith Segalla, Mr.
Kevin Segalla; Ms. Allison Cox, President, Quincy Education Association, and Ms. Laura Owens, Clerk.
Mrs. Hubley called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm and Business Director James Mullaney presented
the Quarterly Budget Review. Current funding allows for all contractual obligations and deficits and
surpluses will balance out at year's end.
Academic Classroom Teachers and Academic Programs are all within budgeted amounts. 22
professional staff members are on leaves of absence, primarily for maternity. There is a deficit
projected for Aides, where more one-on-one aides have been required than budgeted ($320,000). In
addition, Full-Day Kindergarten funding has been cut by $90,000. In the clerical line item, schoolbased secretaries are paid for snow days and the makeup days, so there is a $50,000 deficit. In the
overall salary budget, there is a surplus of $288,700.
Mr. DiBona asked what the difference between the cost of professional staff member and substitute
teacher. Substitute teachers are paid $85 per day, so there is a significant savings. Mr. Mullaney
emphasized that this is a temporary savings as these staff members are entitled to return to their
positions at the end of their leaves of absence.
For Expenses, Special Education tuitions are projected to be in deficit by $378,531, which will be
somewhat offset by additional Circuit Breaker funding. Associated transportation costs will also be in
deficit by $22,018.
In summary, the salary surplus of $288,700 plus the increase in Circuit Breaker funding of $226,676
will more than offset the expense deficit of $330,447. For FY2015, there will be a projected surplus of
$184,929 and Dr. DeCristofaro will work with the Leadership Team to prioritize spending.
Ms. Isola asked if the staff costs associated with scheduling school on Good Friday had been
accounted for and Mr. Mullaney said that the total costs are still being negotiated.
Mrs. Mahoney asked whether there will be costs associated with Beyond the Bell. Dr. DeCristofaro
said the only effect might be on the Transportation revolving account.
Mr. DiBona asked about offsets for electricity for the solar panels. Mr. Mullaney said that the solar
panels are not yet commissioned, but that is expected to occur over the summer. Mr. Bregoli asked
for clarification; while there is an anticipated rate reduction, there will still be electricity costs.
Mr. Bregoli asked about the Out of District placements and suggested that Quincy Public Schools
create its own program for dyslexic students; would like to see initial costs and long-term savings. Dr.
DeCristofaro said Quincy Public Schools had pursued developing this program several years ago but
the planned partnership with Tufts did not materialize. Dr. DeCristofaro said that to be viable, this
might have to be a collaborative program with other cities and towns. Dr. DeCristofaro said that
most of our recent placements are for students with emotional needs, where the traditional school
setting is not appropriate.
Mrs. Hubley requested to have information about the out of district student placements organized by
type of placement. Mr. Bregoli said with the resources of our local universities, perhaps there is
another partner to help us out.
Mr. Mullaney then reviewed the Revolving Accounts. For Food Services, ending cash is projected to
be $1,452,960. For Athletics, expenses are expected to draw $92,123 from reserves to fund rental
costs, officials fees, and uniforms. The Athletic Directors are working to collect delinquent user fees.
For Transportation, expenses and receipts will balance out. Bus maintenance and repairs are funded
from this account which has receipts from rentals and transportation user fees. For Building Rentals,
after transferring $250,000 to assist with utility costs, the account will have a reserve of $133,489.
Mr. Bregoli asked if the Athletics were level-funded in the FY2015 budget and Mr. Mullaney
confirmed this. Mr. Mullaney said the deficit spending for Athletics was intentional, but in the next
couple of years, spending will be monitored to ensure that user fees continue to support the staffing
levels. Dr. DeCristofaro said the two athletic directors have phased in new uniforms for all sports.
Mr. McCarthy asked about moving money from the Rental account to cover utilities. Mr. Mullaney
confirmed that we have done this the last two years and this is allowed under the law.
Mr. McCarthy made a motion to approve the Quarterly Budget as presented. Mr. Bregoli seconded
the motion and on a roll call vote, the ayes have it, 6-0. Mayor Koch was absent.
Ms. Isola made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 pm. Mr. Bregoli seconded the motion and
on a voice vote, the ayes have it.