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SPENCER/EAST BROOKFIELD – During a Nov. 12 meeting of the Spencer-East Brookfield School Committee, members voted to transfer $277,183 into accounts with deficits, some of which are related to special education.
In his finance report, School Business Administrator Gary Suter noted there is a situation where the district is using contracted services rather than employees because they cannot find people to fill positions.
Suter reviewed areas in the budget that are running over and gave explanations as to how these line items will be handled.
For example, he said they are taking a “wait and see” approach to Medicare costs, believing as “payroll shakes out for the rest of the year,” the numbers will get closer to what is budgeted.
School choice tuition is running over budget by $122,000 based on what was provided by the state in January.
“More students are leaving so we’re paying more tuition than they knew of,” Suter said.
The line item for special education tuition to private schools is $444,000 over budget, but the business administrator is unconcerned because most of those expenses will be moved over and paid for by a grant.
“I anticipate by December, that number will be gone but the other two will remain. Other than that, we are in pretty good shape as of October 31.”
In answer to a question by School Committee member Heather Messier, $150,000 in salaries for several paraprofessionals at Knox Trail Middle School were moved to contracted services.
A $55,000 special education teacher salary was moved to Wire Village School.
Messier said that in the wake of test scores, she is concerned to see Knox Trail Middle School lose personnel.
Superintendent Paul Haughey clarified that para professional positions would be covered by contractors, while the other is a re-allocation.
Suter noted because of a schedule change, the teaching position did not have to be filled because it was surplus.
“We’re not just randomly gutting Knox Trail,” Suter said.
In a related matter, Suter explained that the district just received a bill for the prior year amounting to $15,286. The bill was for one month of special education services from French River.
Also in this fiscal year, Suter explained the district continues to hire outside contracted services for things like physical therapy and occupational therapy “and it is quite expensive.”
“We’ve been lucky enough to reach out to French River,” Suter noted, because they provide those needed therapies.
The district is still looking to hire special education employees to fill open spots, but there is a lack of interest, he said.
Messier asked if any progress had been made regarding an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy in the district.
Haughey said he reached out to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) but received no guidance on the topic.
“They are leaving it up to locals to come up with something,” Haughey said.
The superintendent said he is working on a procedure so that plagiarism does not become an issue.
He added he was not far along in the process because he ran out of time.
“But it’s a topic the leadership team continues to work on,” he added.
Messier said there should be an update made of the policy manual, handbooks, etc.
“There definitely has to be some language to make sure we’re protected as a district,” she said.
Vice Chair Jeffrey Sauvageau noted the (policy) subcommittee would need input from administrators “so we’re not starting from ground zero.”
In other business, Haughey talked about a partnership “in its infancy” with Anna Maria College for a Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program. He said the process involves applying to the Department of Higher Education and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to be a host site to train five students in a post baccalaureate program.
“The key here is to fill high need positions and help the Commonwealth reload its teaching ranks in special education, English Language education as well as STEM (science technology engineering mathematics) teaching careers,” Haughey said.
The superintendent said he would update the committee when they are further along in the process.
