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Also, in keeping with this divisive and bizarre Sandwich political tradition, none of the school-related financial data or assumptions presented by Selectmen Pierce were fact checked with the School Administration in advance of the Selectmen meeting. Instead, as the numbers were presented, the Town Manager or Selectmen Pierce would sheepishly acknowledge that it might be a good idea to check the data with the Administration. Ya think? Really?
Funny, Selectmen Pierce said repeatedly that his remarks were merely questions. If so, why wouldn’t he have submitted his questions in advance and in writing to the School Committee? Why wouldn’t he have personally invited Dr. Johnson, and the School Committee Chairman to the Selectman’s meeting and apprised them of his prepared remarks? Just questions? I don’t think so.
The Board of Selectmen and Town Manager created a financial model for the coming fiscal year that projected a substantial town-wide budget deficit - literally millions in debt. The schools have always been told to assume that 60% or more of any town deficit would be borne by the school budget. Fair enough.
Tonight, magically, Selectmen Pierce delivers a message that suggests that perhaps there isn’t a town deficit at all and that the school budget would be level funded. He then wonders aloud just where the School Administration might have gotten the idea that there was a deficit. Wowza! No deficit. That’s good news!
Forget the override folks we're not in the red.
Forget the override folks we're not in the red.
Still, a level funded school budget means, despite Selectmen Peirce’s figuring, substantial cuts – probably more than $1 million in reductions and maybe as much as $1.5 million. And, if the town does face a deficit add 60% or more of whatever that figure ends up being to the $1.5.
It’s too bad that Selectmen Pierce and the Board of Selectmen have chosen politics as usual over constructive, professional dialogue with the School Committee and School Administration. Selectmen Pierce suggested his presentation was motivated by, among other things, concern for his grandchildren and that he was a friend of the schools. That remark kinda reminds me of the old saw, with friends like these who needs enemies?
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| Click Here for Plan B |
10 comments:
Do you think it's a coincidence that last week we pooh-poohed the likely loss of $2 million in tax revenue from Mirant AND then this week we say there may not be a much of a deficit after all.
And then NEXT week, oh by the way ... we need a $5.25 million override and probably another one in the Spring to cover operating costs.
I'm not disputing that we need to repair our buildings. We never should have allowed them to get in such desparate condition. Maybe we need a bylaw to save future elected officials from trying to balance budgets by diverting maintenance funds?
But, I'm starting to get that dirty feeling you get at a used car lot.
I would hope that the current School Committee shares our concerns about being left out of tonight's discussion -- and does something to get involved in the process so it doesn't happen again.
If they really want the job -- they need to actually do the work. FORGET the weekly discussion of copiers -- and $30,000 secretaries -- start paying attention to the Big Picture
Can you provide some more detail about what Mr. Pierce said about the disappearing deficit? He eluded to this at the last School Committee meeting. I am also interested in your opinion about what will happen to the roof projects and reimbursement if the debt exclusion fails.
Thanks!
Good question -- I haven't seen the meeting yet, but it seems Dr. Pierce went off on his own with his numbers. I think its crucial that the BOS speak with one voice on these matters. It's not fair to the public to have Jim asking "questions" that give the appearance of facts -- especially if we're facing an override vote within a week.
He needs to spend time with the Town Manager & The Supt to get an understanding of the numbers BEFORE he starts doing slide shows.
I think highly of Jim -- but he also needs to stay out of the schools and away from the PTA's -- they have enough trouble with the School Committee, they can't handle a rogue selectman wandering around contradicting every budget and projection we've discussed for the past 4 years.
Re: the roofs -- no override means no reimbursement. Get the buckets ready!
IMHO, the school roofs should have been a separate article because it was tied to a state reimbursement. That would ensure that the reimbursement would be properly applied as intended. (ie. they proposed $2.5 million in override funding for roofs which may get $1.25 million in reimbursement). Instead, I get the feeling the school roofs were used as a hostage to the rest of the list and the reimbursement will be used for projects that weren't on the list approved by TM.
To Anon 9:57
Good questions.
The Board of Selectmen and Town Manager created a financial model for the coming fiscal year that projected a substantial town-wide budget deficit - literally millions in debt.
The Board and Town Manager have still not publically revised that estimate. It seems to me that Step 1 here should be for the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager to publish, in writing, their revised budget forecasts and deficit estimates, with supporting documentation.
Regarding the roofs - Selectman Randy Hunt would often point out that an Override or Debt Exclusion isn’t a plan; it’s an option and, if it’s not available (meaning voters reject it) then you still need a plan or strategy to accomplish your goal.
Like you, I wonder what Bud and the Selectmen plan to do if voters reject the Debt exclusion this Nov? Mike Baker, who drove the debt exclusion proposal, didn’t answer this question and neither did the Selectmen or Finance Committee at Town Meeting and that’s too bad.
Recently, the Cape Cod Times asked the Selectmen: if Mirant closes and you lose tax revenues “What’s plan B.?” Specific to the Debt exclusion not passing, I hope somebody has an answer to that very question – if voters reject the Debt Exclusion this Nov what is Plan B? I wish I knew.
I will also say this: The Town collects more than $65 million a year from taxpayers. I would think that at least some of the basic maintenance, like painting buildings, caulking windows and replacing broken doors, should be being paid for from this money without need for a special tax increase/debt exclusion.
Click HERE for Plan B.
thank you
Debt Exclusion
Bob S,
I completely agree with you. Because of the reimbursement, there should have been two separate articles and two questions on the ballot -- one for the school roof projects and one for the rest. It would have been useful to make a motion to split the article, but I'm not sure how you could communicate what was going on with the ballot which could not be split or changed. Now, I just don't know what to do when I vote on Tuesday.
Budget Deficit Projections
I found Jim Pierce's information in the selectmen's packet for Thursday's meeting. A couple of questions:
1. How does this help us get through more than one year at level funding? Is the federal grant for $449,000, which he suggests should be used for FY12, a one-time influx of cash? If so, then we will have to deal with the loss of those funds in FY13. Also, can we carry the money forward to FY12??
2. If I am reading it right, part of his plan calls for reducing the school budget by $600,000 as an energy account adjustment. Again, this only works for one year, right? What happens in FY13?
3. Is he prepared to approve a reserve fund transfer to cover special ed costs if the school's need more than is budgeted and don't have anyplace to go to make up the difference?
4. So, is he suggesting a smaller override that will not carry us through more than one year? Some towns do smaller overrides each year. For whatever reason, Sandwich is not known for handling overrides this way. If we can't get through FY12 without an override, regardless of the amount, then doesn't it make sense to structure the override to cover multiple years?
The Truth Maker would ask what is our Finance Committee doing in regards to the revolations by MR Peirce as to our financial problems are not as bad as every one claims it to be?
When do the Selectmen present that information for comments?
It was bad enough that the Union led school committee has been holding the town of Sandwich as a hostage in there contrivance, now we have the selectman saying, guess what folks we never had a problem in the first place.
Who can trust what is being said by both sides and now we have a can of worms that just crawled out into the open for every one to see.
Bobby it is a sad state of afairs we have placed ourselves as a town, who is watching the store for the taxpayers?
The four union led school committee members are leading the pack and we will be hard pressed to resolve any real budget issues given the present state of affairs.
Jim how about putting up a few more numbers as to where you plan to obtain this ghost money from. Trick or Treat. Stop with the one member dialog that only confuses the average taxpayer in Sandwich as to what is or is not are financial problems.
The federal jobs grant for 449,000 was given to school district to cover the reduction of Chapter 70 funds for this year just as the town manager pointed out on Monday night. I find it interesting that the 3 days later the town officals are now using these same funds to "level fund" next year's budget. The supt. has always said she is going to try and the key word is try to carry over those funds for next year but that is not for certain due to the many uncertainites of a schoool budget such as unexpected special education costs. I also should point out that any additional funds in the energy line item are simply needed for other line items in next year's such as special education. With the recent reduction of Chapter 70 funds the schools are trying to operate with a -2.2% budget which is a very ambitious goal. The schools have cut personnel for 3 years in a row now and have little to reduce without cutting programs for kids. Is the town side planning to make reductions in personnel???
It seems as though Jim knows something that we should and the discussion was not to correct him but to comment on what he did say. Therefore the BOS also knows of what he speaks yet hold these cards close to the vest. The "correction" will be fun to watch.
Well, not really a surprise that Sandwich voters rejected the debt exclusion, is it?
Mr. Pierce spent weeks telling anyone who would listen that the Town was flush with cash (literally millions) and that deficit projections were grossly inflated. Voters listened.
And, when neither the Board of Selectmen nor Town Manager Dunham corrected Mr. Pierce and disputed his assertions voters listened.
I ask again: what’s Plan B?
The Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Dunham have a lot of work and planning to do.
Spending and cost cutting needs to be prioritized; a real, well documented Capital spending plan should be a priority - one that doesn’t rely on tax increases.
Likewise, a complete review of Operational expenditures is not only necessary but past due. Tax increases are not a plan and perhaps not even an option – the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Dunham are on notice of this now, I hope.
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