Schools
VIDEO: School Committee Works to Bring Budget Into Black
The Seekonk School Committee is exploring options to bring the 2012 fiscal year budget out of the red.
The Seekonk school committee met Monday night in the library. The strongest topic of discussion was the $751,418 school department budget deficit and ways generate revenue for the fiscal year 2012 budget.
The school committee approved a motion to move an expected $137,000 surplus from this year's budget into a contingency fund. This fund can only be accessed by an approved vote by school committee members.
School committee board member John Bilodeau made a motion to lower the non-approval budget transfers made by the business manager and the superintendent from $5,000 to $1,500.
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“The tighter we can get this budget under control, the less transfers we are going to need to make,” Bilodeau said.
The motion passed by a 3-2 vote. Committee members Fran Creamer and David Quinn opposed.
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David Quinn also reported on fundraising initiatives. Quinn said he reached out to advertising companies that would put age-appropriate ads inside school busses and would come at no cost to the district. Mr. Quinn is also looking into having antennae from T-Mobile placed on certain light towers within school grounds, to extend T-Mobiles’ coverage area and generate some additional funds.
Quinn also suggested that the committee explore, against its normal policy, the School Choice program. Even though this would bring in additional students to the district, it would generate revenue of $5,000 per student. Quinn noted that the district could select which grades would be open admission to in order to defray overcrowding.
The board also passed a measure to admit Taunton into the South Coast Educational Collaborative (SCEC) on recommendation from Superintendent Madeline Meyer.
“This is matter that will have a positive fiscal outlook,” said Meyer.
SCEC members work with different school districts, allowing for a group-based approach to bolster efficiencies regarding costs and effectiveness of faculty.
The school board also took the time to honor Bill Barker, a three-year figure on the committee who not to rerun for election this time. John Bilodeau succeeded him.
The board presented him with a parting gift and each member was afforded the opportunity to share a few words of appreciation for his service.
The next school committee meeting will be May 16 at 7 p.m. in the Seekonk High School library.
