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HOLDEN, Mass. — The Wachusett Regional School Committee voted 15-3 to reduce its proposed fiscal year 2013 budget to $79,064,670 Monday night, making significant cuts to district staff.
The FY13 Budget saw a reduction of $220,000, and Holden's total assessment for FY13 was reduced to $21,736,184 — a difference of about $179,000.
After the originally proposed budget failed to get support in Rutland and Paxton, Wachusett Superintendent Thomas Pandiscio had recommended reducing to Rutland's proposed number, believing that there was no tenable reason to try to put forward a compromised number.
Furthermore, after recent rumors of budget mistakes were confirmed and Business Manager Peter Brennan was subsequently terminated, members of the school committee expressed concerns that the body has lost credibility.
"It kills me that we have to take a dime off the budget, but at this point, especially in light of the errors by the business manager, our credibility is at an all-time low, and I don't believe we could get another penny from the town even if they could afford it," said committee member Stacey Jackson.
An error in the fiscal year 2012 budget led to an over-expenditure to the tune of $1.2 million, and an additional $1.4 Million shortfall in employee benefits and insurance called for "significant and substantial reductions" to FY13 according to Superintentendent Thomas Pandiscio.
The superintendent said the reductions are "to the salary line, district administration, instructional support, regular education, instructional technology, instructional support, special education and vocational education, as well as buildings and grounds and reduction of late buses and reductions in the interest expense that was associated with the Jefferson School renovation."
The severity of the cuts were difficult for Jackson, who explained that "as a parent who is very involved in the special ed community, the loss of the director of developmental programs is a challenge."
Additionally, the cut of the business manager position made Jackson uncomfortable.
"My concern is we've had a couple issues with the business manager, God knows what would happen if we didn't have one," said Jackson, adding that she was glad to see that the Business and Finance subcommittee would be giving consideration to that reduction.
While the cuts were tough, Jackson said her primary reason for passing the budget Monday night was that another amount would likely get voted down in Rutland and Paxton, resulting in the Commissioner of Education having to come in to make reductions later in the year.
"He's going to come in and he can't create money in Rutland and Paxton. He can't force overrides, so he's going to forces us to make cuts, and at that point we'd have already spent six months worth of expenditures, so we'd be making cuts half way through the school year," she said. "I don't want to tell a first grade child 'Sorry, honey, your teacher isn't Mrs. Smith anymore."
Committee member Erik Scheinfeldt was also in support of the reduced budget.
"The voters have spoken in Paxton and Rutland, and though I don't necessarily agree with them, I think we have to respect the voters' decision. I live in Holden, but we also live in a region and you have to respect the regional agreement."
Scheinfeldt added "I don't think Rutland is entirely to blame in this. The business manager was terminated for good cause, I believe. He made a lot of mistakes with forecasting the budget and that is one of the primary reasons we're in the mess we're in."
However committee member Deidre Kosky voted down the budget, explaining that in light of all that had gone on she could not bring herself to vote in support of the district's recommendation.
"I don't want the children to lose out, but in life there's a thing called accountability, and I don't think anybody's been accountable for anything."
Selecman Bob Lavigne was happy to see that the school committee passed the budget.
"Town meeting spoke and whether or not you liked the vote from the towns, I'm not for going back to town meeting over and over again until you get the vote you want," he said. "Town Meeting spoke, and so I was appreciative the school committee saw the forest through the trees and got the money in."
Selectman Anthony Renzoni also believed the school committee made the right decision.
"We're all making hard choices. I don't have the exact percentage, but I'll tell you that our town is increasing 2 1/2 to 3 percent each year, and the budget approved tonight is going to come in well over 3 percent," he said.
"They're going to have live within their means," Renzoni continued. "This is going to be a cakewalk compared to next year. Next year, before we begin the budgeting process the Town of Holden is about a million dollars in the hole, so I think immediately — I'm talking this fall — we start working with the five towns to go ahead and come to some agreement and consensus on this budget going forward."
Comments (9)
I agree that the schools will function as provided for by law without a budget or even with a "flawed" budget. The current scenario is not much different than past "variences" only bigger, much bigger. "We" apparently have not learned from past "mistakes". But I must say that accusations based in fact or fiction rebutted by illogical arguments serve to only further the mistrust felt by the taxpayers. The only way to allay this mistrust is to completely and openly conduct forensic audits possibly in conjunction with an investigation by the Attorney General and let the chips fall where they may. At this point explanations by the Administration and School Committee will probably fall on deaf ears because they are being viewed as part of the problem. This is a classic case of perception becoming reality. When the true facts are absent rumor and innuendo quickly fill the void.
There will be a budget. 7,000+ kids will be educated. That's the law. Either the school committee passes a budget at a number that has been approved by all five towns, a woefully inadequate number by the way, but nevertheless, one approved by all five towns, or the commissioner comes in and sets the budget. He decides what the budget will be and the towns must pay. His number may be higher than Rutland's number.
That was the choice facing the school committee. If they had refused to pass the budget, schools would still open in September. Education in the district is not contingent on an investigation into the practices of the business manager.
Mr. Renzoni and Mr. Lavigne recognize this. How they are in any way culpable is a head scratcher.
How does most of the school committee pass a budget when there are serious and material questions about the integrity of the information needed to make such a decision?
No reasonably responsible person could do this. As for Lavigne and Renzoni, they publically stated that they are happy about the decision. They should be Outraged that it went through! I question their judgement along with all the people who supported it!
I agree with you, school will still continue regardless if it was not passed the other night.
Your ignorance of school budgeting and appropriation is appalling. Do you not understand that there must be a number floated, a budget proposed by law? If you think the School Committee should not have approved the budget based on the process, that's one thing; but the Brennan thing is no reason not to support a budget. If you can't see that, well, something's dreadfully wrong. "Information needed to make such a decision" --what does that even mean?? Despite the accounting error by Mr. Brennan, the District needs to reduce its budget to a number that either demands another vote or meets Rutland's number. The District has people to pay and kids to educate. This isn't a TV show or a beauty pageant. The only rational reason to vote against the budget is that the process was tainted, not the Brennan mess; they're not essentially related. Get an education if not a grip.
@ Viola- Your stupidity is laughable. You stated that the Brennan mess is not essentially related? You can't possibly be serious?
Every reasonable somewhat intelligent person who has any sense knows that in order to make a budget decision you have to in part compare budgeted numbers with actual spending. Everyone knows that the actuals are so materially inaccurate that many are calling for a forensic audit!
If you had one brain cell then you would recognize that you can't make a decision based on bad data. You can't even help yourself with your faulty logic by making a presupposition that the accounting was a "error", when no one really knows for sure.
If there was a procedural issue for funding than there should be a temporary budget until all matters are figured out. From what was reported, it did not happen that way. Any smart and reasonable person would agree. Your position to knowingly approve a budget based on bad data, just highlights your gross ignorance.
With reasoning skills like yours, all I have to say is good luck to you because you are your worst enemy....
@ Dr. Remulak
While I appreciate your concerns, it appears several of your statements are based on inaccurate information. At your convenience I will gladly meet to discuss any issues.
Anthony Renzoni
617-909-9790
selectmanrenzoni@hotmail.com
arenzoni@holdenma.gov
This is an Outrage!!! For having a widespread reputation of having the two largest egos in town, Renzoni and Lavigne blew it. Both are quoted as recongnizing there is a major problem with the accounting and almost in the same sentence support a budget put together by an administration who can't get the figures right? Are you kidding? What are these guys backgrounds? Everyone should question their obvious lack of judgement and their ethics. If I were in their shoes, I would have not passed it until we had all the facts in order. Millions of taxpayers dollars are unaccounted for and these losers and most of the school commitee members support and pass a budget!!! Totally disgusting, people need to wake up because this is a microcosm of the way the government works. Their mindset is, if you don't understand it, push it through. The people who voted for it are an embarrassment to the positions they hold.
Can someone post who supported it?
OMG. I certainly hope you are not on the school committee. You're irrational, and your ignorance in matters of school finance is serious. Not cool.
How do some of our elected officials knowingly approve a budget put together by a guy who gets fired for grossly mismanaging the books. On what basis do you compare the budget vs. actual expendatures? Obviously, they are not comfortable with the actual expenses which is the reason why they are calling for an audit. This defies reason and common-sense! They should be ashamed of themselves, what a way to represent the taxpayer!