Reports of Appropriation Committee, School Committee are received and placed on file.
FY17 School budget is $97,293,299 - a 5.68% increase from last year and $17,496 per pupil expenditure. Input from numerous stakeholders. Superintendent Dr.Mary Czajkowski thanks leadership team: School Committee members, CO administration, and Ian Daley in Finance & Business.
Key theme of this budget: ensuring on-going program excellence in light of continued growth. Four district goals used in development of this budget:
- Contract Obligations (including COLA)
- Legal Mandates (Special Education, transportation)
- Enrollment Increases
- Program Improvements (excellence, addition of elementary foreigh language
Lexington ranks 6th in 11 like communities* (#1, Weston's per pupil is $21,6521)
Salary & Wages = $81,785,398; expenses = $15,507,901 which represents 5.68% increase over FY16
Minuteman Career Technical Regional High School Superintendent Ed Bouquillon presented a budget of $19,728,097.
Lexington's contribution is $1,377,449
$115,000 is Minuteman Career Technical Regional High School transportation expense
A Town Meeting Member asks superintendent how percentage increases are based. Answer: Bureau of Labor & Statistics
Director of Special Education Ellen Sugita addressing questions from a Town Meeting Member about LABBB Collaborative Program.
Q about Shared Expenses: wants to know breakdown of Municipal, School, Retirees.
MOTION to Appropriate FY2017 Operating Budget (Schools) PASSES by more than the necessary two-thirds (156=YES; 1=NO; 3=Abstain)
Town Manager’s Recommended Budget and Financing Plan
*The eleven like communities: Acton-Boxborough, Belmont, Brookline, Concord-Carlise, Lexington, Lincoln-Sudbury, Newton, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, Winchester