Spending cap part of Worcester school plan

Spending cap part of Worcester school plan

BOARD LOOKS AT ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS

Melinda Boone (T&G File Photo/BETTY JENEWIN)
By Sara Schweiger TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
WORCESTER — The School Committee Thursday night debated a proposal to put a 1.5 percent cap on administrative spending.

The proposal was part of a fiscal plan presented by Superintendent Melinda J. Boone that she described as the merging of strong fiscal discipline, collaborative budget planning and an alignment of resources to create a student-centered financial plan.

"We exist to make a difference in the lives of students," Ms. Boone said. "Without the students, we would not be here tonight."

Regarding administrative spending, Ms. Boone said that the state's education funding formula allows for 4 percent of a district's operating budget to be allocated for administrative spending. The proposed 1.5 percent cap would mean the district would spend 63 percent less on administration than what the state allows.

Citing a 15 percent decrease in office positions since 2010, Ms. Boone touted gains already in place in curbing administrative spending.

Committee member Brian O'Connell questioned whether WPS has done a good job of streamlining administrative expenses. He pointed to confusion regarding which accounts administrators are paid out of, and a concern that it would not be an accurate portrayal which account, essentially, would be frozen.

"Looking at our budget for next year, we know full well the extent of potential carnage that can take place within the school system to people who work directly with students," he said. "We need to make significant, good-faith reductions in nonteaching positions."

"I am certainly not going to engage in a debate this evening with Mr. O'Connell," Ms. Boone said, citing a 4 percent increase in teachers, an 18 percent increase in instructional positions and a 20 percent increase in school nurses since 2010 as evidence that gains have been made.

Committee member Tracy O'Connell Novick pointed to the importance of a strong central administration in a district the size of Worcester.

"I know we all like to be under the illusion that we're living in Laura Ingalls Wilder and we have one-room schoolhouses," she said. "It's not true. This is a city of 180,000 people. We actually do need administrators. I know it's not a popular thing to say, but it's true."

She asked if there was any concern from the administration about the cap.

"Am I comfortable with the 1.5 percent cap?" Ms. Boone asked. "No. But this is today's seven-point plan," she said. "It's not set in stone."

Another item in the plan specifies that new revenue be earmarked, with a few exceptions, for classroom use.

The rest of the plan builds upon practices already in place, including long-term budget planning, zero-based budgeting, a transparent budget process and quarterly financial planning, and a commitment to plan accordingly when grants are factored into the budget, as they eventually expire.

Ms. O'Connell Novick praised the School Department's efforts toward budget transparency, stating that much of what WPS is doing "is not common practice across the commonwealth."

Committee member Jack Foley praised the plan, and asked that an item be added that the Finance and Operations subcommittee, of which he is chairman, continue its practice of meeting with the City Council's education committee.

With Mr. Foley's amendment, the committee approved the plan on a voice vote.

The School Committee is set to receive Ms. Boone's budget on May 9.

In other business, the School Department recognized James Bedard for his nine years of service as facilities director. Mr. Bedard has accepted a position at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

"Jim was the right person at the right time for WPS and the Facilities Department," said Brian Allen, the district's chief financial and operations officer, who cited improved custodial and maintenance services that occurred under Mr. Bedard's tenure.

Mr. Allen said Mr. Bedard's departure caps 50 years of Bedard family service, as James Bedard's father retired 15 years ago on this date from WPS.

Ms. O'Connell Novick called attention to the reach of Mr. Bedard's job, saying, "There are 50 buildings (in the WPS) that cover nearly 4 million square feet of space and 300 acres. That has been Mr. Bedard's purview." She cited his commitment to ensuring that no facility issue would ever be an impediment to learning.

Contact Sara Schweiger at sara.schweiger@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @SschweigerTG