March 21, 2006
Wellesley Public Schools
School Committee Meeting - Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Wellesley High School Library
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:35 pm. Ms. Jablonski, Ms. Allen, Ms. Littlefield, Ms. Newman, and Mr. Young were present. Also present were Dr. King and Ms. Wong. Representing the Student Advisory Committee was Ryan Speers.
CITIZEN SPEAK
There were no citizens present who wished to speak.
ACTION ITEMS
FY07 Budget
Dr. King reported that based upon new personnel information, including retirements and leaves of absence, he is recommending that the school committee reduce its FY07 budget request by $74,438, which will result in a revised total operating budget of $47,032,871. This recommendation comes about after conversations with the town’s executive director and board of selectmen about reducing the town’s overall override figure. Ms. Jablonski noted that the override figure is still in flux, but concerted efforts are taking place to reduce the override figure below $3 million.
Upon motion made by Ms. Littlefield, seconded by Mr. Young, it was unanimously
VOTED: To reduce the FY07 budget by $74,138. The final FY07 operating budget request from the School Committee will be in the amount of $47,032,871.
The motion CARRIED (5-0) FY07 Budget - Gap List
School committee resumed discussing the recommended gap list, which it had tabled at its previous meeting. In parallel with the reduced budget Dr. King recommended decreasing the gap list by eliminating the 1.0FTE high school guidance counselor position and portions of the reduced FTE’s for high school electives.
Upon motion made by Ms. Jablonski, seconded by Ms. Newman, it was unanimously
VOTED: To approve line items recommended for non-override reductions as presented to School Committee on March 14 and amended March 16, 2006. The total of gap list
budget items is $2,694,862.
The motion CARRIED (5-0)
FY06 Budget Deficit
A deficit of $783,652 in the current fiscal year budget has been caused largely by unanticipated heating oil and natural gas costs and emergency special education placements. The committee reviewed the processes by which budgeting for special education placements occurs and the way in which circuit breaker funding is appropriated to school districts. It was agreed to seek funding from Town Meeting to cover the budget deficit.
Upon motion made by Ms. Newman, seconded by Mr. Young, it was unanimously
VOTED: To request a motion at Annual Town Meeting within Article 8 to appropriate
$783,652 for purposes of covering the FY06 budget deficit.
The motion CARRIED (5-0)
High School Project
With regard to its general acceptance of the report and recommendations concerning the high school project from the Facilities Advisory Committee, Mr. Young suggested that the school committee take a position on each recommendation.
A motion was made by Mr. Young, seconded by Ms. Littlefield, that the school committee:
1. Accept and proceed on the high school project according to the recommendation labeled “4R”
in the FAC report dated January 20, 2006 which includes preserving the shell of the existing
1938 building and making a concerted effort to adapt the existing buildings and spaces rather
than build new.
2. Proceed to conduct a thorough needs analysis, referred to an an “architectural program”
using a combination of in house resources and outside consultants who possess the relevant
skill and experience before formally proceeding to schematic design.
3. Within the constructs of the town’s bylaws, work closely with the town’s Permanent
Building Committee to develop a project management and control structure that has
sufficient skills and resources to effectively control the undertaking through all phases
of what will be the largest project the town has ever undertaken.
4. Within the constructs of the town’s bylaws, work with the town’s Permanent Building
Committee to explore other construction contract structures including the “Construction
Manager at Risk” (CM) contract form.
Mr. Young then presented summary information about the project, including its current status and next steps. In the ensuing lengthy discussion, the committee considered amending the motion wording to separate the program design process from the schematic design stage although there was common agreement about the linkage between programming and schematic design. The discussion also covered the •role and costs involved in hiring outside consultants and/or consulting in-house and the •vital importance of keeping the project visible within the town, especially at key transition points. Since the process will require two funding requests of town meeting, once for programming and again for schematic design, the committee discussed developing a motion under Article 23 for annual town meeting, which would preclude the need for doing so at a special town meeting in June.
An amended motion was proposed by Mr. Young, seconded by Ms. Littlefield:
1. Accept and proceed on the high school project according to the recommendation labeled “4R”
in the FAC report dated January 20, 2006 which includes preserving the shell of the existing
1938 building and making a concerted effort to adapt the existing buildings and spaces rather
than build new, if reasonably possible.
2. Request funding at a town meeting to proceed with the conduct of a thorough needs analysis, referred to as an “architectural program” and other prerequisite activities required for schematic
design. The work will be done by a combination of in house resources and outside consultants who
possess the relevant skill and experience. Programming will be completed before formally
proceeding to schematic design.
3. At the completion of architectural programming, request funding for schematic design and
cost estimating segments at another town meeting.
4. Within the constructs of the town’s bylaws, work closely with the town’s Permanent
Building Committee to develop a project management and control structure that has
sufficient skills and resources to effectively control the undertaking through all phases
of what will be the largest building project the town has ever undertaken.
5. Within the constructs of the town’s bylaws, work with the town’s Permanent Building
Committee to explore other construction contract structures including the “Construction
Manager at Risk” (CM) contract form. The motion CARRIED (5-0)
In outlining the high school project process beyond the motion just approved, the committee agreed it is possible to draft an RFP, but a contract cannot be executed until funds have been authorized by town meeting. The committee agreed to meet at 6:45 pm on March 27 for purposes of additional consideration of the high school project.
CITIZEN SPEAK
There were no citizens present who wished to speak.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 pm.
Executive Secretary
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