School Committee Meeting, 1/23/06

The School Committee discussed the budget options at length deliberating about the implications of potential increases in fees on participation in athletics and extracurricular (they decided not to increase them beyond the January Budget), fees for riding the bus (decided potential revenue might not cover costs of administering the program plus additional issues of traffic and safety), voluntary redistricting to reduce elementary classes from 60 to 59 (opted not to do this as it squeezed too many classes over the size guidelines).

Using the January 9 budget presented by Dr. Burton as a basis, the SC opted to modify it as follows:

• add back the elementary math/science coordinator
• add back the High School swim and ski teams
• increase the lunch fee an additional $0.25 to completely cover direct and indirect costs of lunches (elementary lunches will go from $1.75 to $2.50; Middle and High School lunches will go from $2 - $2.75)
• $150/child fee for elementary instrumental music programs
• These modifications provide a budget at approximately $180,000 below the finance committee's original guideline of a 4% increase over this year's budget (note that based on my limited conversations with /town officials, all other departments are presenting budgets at the finance committee's guideline and not trying to find reductions below this.)

It was also noted that the January 9 budget makes cuts that are not all enrollment-related and it should not be considered a "level service" budget. The Middle School is reducing staff by 1.5 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) even though enrollment is projected to be 11 students higher. Class sizes at the elementary schools will increase towards the guidelines, fees for extracurricular are being implemented at the elementary level and increasing at the Middle and High School levels, and the specialists at the elementary level will have dramatic increases in the scope of their responsibility that will have an impact on the caliber of the program. For example, there will only be two librarians (and art, PE and music teachers) covering the three elementary schools. Currently there are three specialists - one at each school - but the Loker and Happy Hollow specialists are less than 1 FTE. On average, each specialist currently is responsible for 20 class sessions per week. In the recommended budget, each specialist will be responsible for 30 class sessions across different schools and will need to travel. While they will theoretically have the time in the week to do this, the caliber of the program will not be at current standards.

For a review of the budget changes and additions, and the current state of the proposed budget, click here.

Other topics covered:

High School Building Committee (HSBC)
The future of the HSBC was discussed following a presentation by the HSBC committee. It was agreed that the HSBC should continue with a new mandate provided by the School Committee at a later date. The question was raised on expanding the HSBC and/or changing the makeup of the group to bring in different views. It was acknowledged that the expertise among the HSBC was impressive and the experience gained in the process should not be lost. The School Committee agreed that if anything is done, it would be to add new or different perspectives rather than replace members. Committee members will let the School Committee know if they will continue in their roles. The School Committee will then agree on what they are looking for to round out the team and how many new members. A vote at Town Meeting will be needed to increase the number of HSBC members (potentially a Special Town Meeting at the time of Annual Town Meeting in April). There are currently eleven members and twelve ex-officio members. There were often 25 people at the working sessions including the paid professionals. Also, it was discussed that there will need to be some money allocated to the HSBC to allow for planning to be ready when the state school building administration puts out the new guidelines and this would need to be allocated at the Special Town Meeting.

40B Proposal: Presentation by Chuck Irving, representing the development team of the former Raytheon site, on the proposed 40B housing project. Here are some key points of the project that is currently underway:

• The developers will file an application in February for 200 units.  160 are to be two-bedroom; 40 are to be three-bedroom town homes. 25% will be affordable (less than $200,000/unit)
• Of these units, 130 units will be in mid-rise buildings overlooking the Sudbury river with no yard.
• The application process can take from 1 - 3 years depending if it is appealed
• Wayland is an ideal 40B area - the town has not met the state guideline for affordable housing.
• Under state rules, 200 units can be developed without approval or input from the town.
• The number of units governed by septic and wastewater treatment capacity (current capacity is actually for 410 units)
• The developer had to redesign plan recently because their real estate consultants/agents report that in the past 6 months the prices in Wayland have fallen faster than in surrounding communities - and the Real Estate agents indicate this is due to school issues.
• Last fall they projected that the 2 bedroom units that are not affordable would be on the market for approx $700,000, they now anticipate closer to $600,000.
• It is possible the state could say that there should be more family units (i.e. 3 bedroom)
• The earliest that units would be occupied is 2008, the latest 2011.

Session summary prepared by Lisa Valone.

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