Massachusetts Association of
Regional Schools
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MARS Board Meeting MinutesFebruary 20, 2007Present: Bruce Kaiser, Old Colony; Michael Wood, Nashoba; Chris Lynch, DoE; Mindy Kempner, southeastern; Beth Regulbuto, Hampden/Wilbraham; Mike Zapantis, Ashburnham Westminster; Steve Hemman, Naragansett; Donna Harlan, Central Berkshire; Sue Gee, Gill-Montgue; Maureen Marshall, North Middlesex; Gene Carlo, Assabet; Paul Gagliarducci, Hampden/Wilbraham, Dee Dee NiswongerFollowing introductions several names were offered for the five openings on the MARS Executive Board. The current Board will determine if the openings will be filled in June or September. The September meeting is often better attended than the June meeting. The Treasurer will be directed to send out the MARS dues bills in late spring. Item IV . DoE transportation committee was presented by Christine Lynch and the included attachment provides excellent coverage of the issue. Click here for MSWord document called Summary information. Chris particularly asked that all recipients fill out and return the survey that the transportation group is preparing. Chris also talked about the DoE interpretation of two items in the now effective regulations. Click here for MSWord document for Assessment Methodologies. The attachment includes the web address to see the regulations. Any questions concerning these attachments should be directed to Chris Lynch. A useful discussion followed about the problems being encountered with the insufficient number of qualified auditors and consequent timing problems for getting filing for E & D accounts done in a timely fashion. The need for training sessions was emphasized. The MASS summer institute program offers material on this highly complex subject but more is needed. The discussion moved to the fiscal concerns all of us are experiencing, including the declining required minimums in our towns, and whether the state will increase Chapter 70 aid sufficiently to replace what is lost. The educational system cannot make up the decreases on it’s own. An adequate foundation budget is essential for school districts to maintain standards. Our system of providing education in Massachusetts is not cost effective even though individual budgets are honed carefully down to essentials. We need a non-partisan Commission, appointed by the Governor, to look at public education, the delivery system and all other aspects of public education, including needed adjustments for different geographical areas. An early local aid resolution may happen this year, possibly as early as mid March. At this time the DoE has done the aggregate wealth projections but, by law, they cannot release figures yet. Boston has to direct the DoE to release their numbers. Either Feb 26 or 28 are possible dates for the release of the Governor’s budget. 200 million over last year possibly will be added to Chapter 70. The total request from the DoE is 352 million in increases (including 2 million added to regional transportation). Of the total request, 194 is in Chapter 70. The opinion expressed about the DoE requests is that it is a very sensible budget, a good standard for what public education is responsible for, and funding things that exist. MASS has found both the Governor’s office and the Senate very good to work with on fiscal education issues. They are hoping that the House floor will once again provide the support for education evinced so effectively last year. Without growth in state aid educators will be back to fighting our communities for every needed dollar, and our communities are maxed out and won’t pony up any more. MASS is recommending that transportation for SPED be added to the language of the circuit breaker, thus being a part of the expected reimbursements when the money is there to pay for it. Respectfully submitted by Dee Dee Niswonger For More Information Contact: |
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