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MARS Board Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2004
Present: Maureen M. Marshall, Clifford G. Fountain, Lynn
Ryan, Gene Carlo, Michael Fitzpatrick, Steve Hemmen, David Tobin. Visitors:
Ginny McNellen, Steve Nembirkow, Paul Gagliarducci, Cynthia Landers, Staff: Dee
Dee Niswonger.
A presentation and discussion of S2463 included information from David Tobin
about the position of MASS on various points within the bill. This bill is the
start of a discussion leading toward a formula which probably will not be in
place before FY 07. FY 06 should be a transition year.
Some points within S2463: no changes are made to the idea of the current
“minimum demand” formula except to say that no one goes below foundation.
Foundation is numerically denoted as 1 in S2463. Issues of adequacy are not part
of S2463. There are substantial changes in local contribution by making
substantial changes to the way “wealth” is measured. Wealth is measured in S2463
by comparing equalized property value (both commercial and residential property
is used unlike current use of only residential property) to median family
income, divided using per capita, instead of per student. Per student is what
MASS would prefer, as well as using only residential property. If the
calculation is done per capita communities with small numbers of students get
hurt, thus once again the cities are favored over small towns.
There are changes in the requirement for spending, thus districts spending over
150% of state average are no longer required to do so, and are aided by the
state over a period of seven years so that these communities can lower their tax
rates. Thus printouts indicate wealthy communities receiving substantial aid
over time. Furthermore, districts will not be pushed to spend as they have been,
except for a few calculated to be spending at 75% of average. However, these
will possibly receive aid called equity aid, to help them increase their
spending.
There are several aid categories. We are talking here about a formula which uses
a target share concept. If a district is not receiving its targeted share of
aid, over 7 years the state will increase aid to meet that target. If a district
is receiving aid at or above the target it will not receive any aid under that
category and will gradually fall to the targeted aid percent thus increasing the
demand on local communitites. Every community will receive $50 per student as
minimum aid. For FY06 if this method was to be used, the various aid accounts
would add about $150 million to Chapter 70. The other two aid categories are
equity aid as described above and foundation aid for those needing aid to
maintain or reach foundation.
S2463 does not favor regions. Because regions have a residue of incentive aid
(worth in the aggregate about $150 million) our aid seems to be above what has
been calculated as needed. The responsibilities of regions to cover in their
budgets all costs was discussed in relation to municipal schools, which,
although they have all the same costs, have a broader range of income streams,
through their towns, than do regions with only two sources: state aid and local
contribution. If the total of those two is not high enough to meet fixed costs,
then the children suffer.
The development of a policy position to present to the Board of Ed on regions
which restores a vision for regions is urged. In developing this some questions
to consider are: what is an equitable share of aid? What are our real
differences? What are our real costs? A concept we can grow on is the foundation
budget, which talks about distribution to categories. Why not a category for
regions?
A discussion ensued about adequacy. A proposal was made that there be two
foundation budgets, one for non-regions and one for regions. A committee is
being developed to discuss this idea.
The meeting closed with discussion about the MARS income relative to payment of
increased salary to the director. That issue will be studied and reported upon
next month.
The date of a presentation to the Board of Education will be announced when
known.
Three people in attendance indicated interest in the three slots now open on the
MARS Board. October 19 will be the annual meeting at which Board members will be
elected and personnel issues will be decided.
Respectfully written and submitted by
Dee Dee Niswonger, Executive Director, MARS
For More Information Contact:
Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools
P.O. Box 334, Williamsburg, MA 01096-0334
Tel: 413-268-3607
E-mail:
niswonger@comcast.net
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Massachusetts Association of
Regional Schools