Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
FINCOM 20210317 Minutes
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Canton Finance Committee Minutes Voted on: 717121 801 Washington Street Vote: 6-0-1 Canton, MA 02021 Meeting Minutes March 17, 2021 Finance Committee Members Present: David Clough, Dan Cole, Emilio Mauro, Tim McKenna, Reuki Schutt, Tom Theodore, Cindy Thomas and Wai Wong. Finance Committee Members Absent: Rob Barker. Guests Present: Dave Emhardt, Chair, Capital Planning Committee Nicholas Fitzgerald, Member, Capital Planning Committee Ellen Jones, Finance Committee Secretary Aidan Maguire, Canton Representative to the Blue Hills Regional High School Committee Stephen O'Halloran, Member, Capital Planning Committee Michelle Resendes, Business Manager, Blue Hills Regional High School Jill Rosetti, Superintendent -Director, Blue Hills Regional High School Randy Scollins, Finance Director Andrew Staiti, Member, Capital Planning Committee Shaun Chu, Vice Chair, Capital Planning Committee Opening: Chair McKenna called the virtual meeting via Zoom to order at 7:00 p.m. Approval of Agenda: Chair McKenna reviewed the agenda. New Business Blue Hills Regional High School FY22 Budget— Aidan Maguire introduced Superintendent Jill Roselti and Business Manager Michelle Resendes. Ms. Resendes presented detailed information regarding the budget. Some of the highlights of Ms. Resendes' presentation included the following (see meeting documents): • Blue Hills FY22 Budget Increases: 1.2% for Salary Accounts, 5.6% for Expense Accounts and a 3.1% total budget increase over 2021. • The Salary Accounts were determined without the full knowledge of contractual salary increases because they were in negotiations when the COVID pandemic occurred. A one-year contract was negotiated with four unions. Negotiations will start again with the largest union in April 2021. Ms. Resendes reviewed the assessment calculations as follows: • At Blue Hills per the regional agreement they are the statutory method of assessment. There are two different ways in which you can assess the member districts which is set in the regional agreement. • ESSER II Funding —As a regional district the school is given a sum of money and the school has to offer back to the member districts 75% of that grant in an effort if the Town choses to keep those funds to reduce the Town's assessment costs. BHRS does not have a say in the matter. Canton can choose to keep it or give it to BHRS. This is one-time funding. Ms. Resendes has heard that there could be in ESSER III Funding but has not received any further information. • Of the total $11,279,014 regional required minimum contribution, Canton's required contribution to Blue Hills increased from $1,008,427 for FY21 to $1,062,277 for FY22 or an increase of $53,850 or 9% of the total $11,279,04 regional required minimum contribution. • The total ESSR 11 allocation to Blue Hills is $377,477. 75% of $377,477 is $280,108. The $280,108 is the amount that has to be offered back to its school districts. Canton's share is $26,381. • Factors that can change Canton's assessment include MSBA Renovation Project Debt Service, Enrollment changes, changes in the School's operating budget, excess and deficiency fund and allocation and foundation budget and minimum contribution calculations. Enrollment is the number one driver. • Canton had an increase of two students. Canton can choose to use the $27,087 (ESSER II Funds Allocation) to reduce the Town's assessment. Canton's assessment would, therefore, be $1,472,906. Canton's assessment decreased by 0.30% from last years assessment. FINCOM 20210317 Minules.docx Page 1 of 7 4/25/21