Minutes of the
Monson School Committee
Public Budget Hearing
March 27, 2024
Members of the public were able to participate virtually in this meeting at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89265447858 Meeting ID: 892 6544 7858
Present: Chair Emily Graves-Harrison; Vice Chair Alison Morgan; Secretary Jamie Murphy; Committee Member Colleen Flynn; Committee Member; Karen Nothe-Valley; Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Clarke; Director of Business and Operations Leah Zippin and Recording Secretary Karen Methe
Note: This meeting was recorded by M-Pact TV and Zoom.
Ms. Graves-Harrison called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
Ms. Graves-Harrison explained that the purpose of this meeting is to allow the public to ask questions or express concerns regarding the FY25 budget. Dr. Clarke provided an overview of the budget that was presented, in detail, at the March 20, 2024 Regular Business Meeting.
Town resident Mel Brassard asked Dr. Clarke what would have been saved had the Town allowed the amount of funding requested by the school department. Dr. Clarke stated that a secretarial position, teaching position at Granite Valley School and a part-time interventionist position at the high school would have remained in the budget.
Committee member Karen Nothe-Valley added that the school department put forth, to the Town, a budget with a small increase and then they told us that we had to come in at a specific number. Karen noted that this is not fair to the School Committee’s process or students of the district and she is generally not in favor of any teacher cuts. She will continue to advocate for a level services, not level funded budget going forward.
The proposed budget has not been approved by the Town or Finance Committee yet.
Motion by Ms. Flynn to adjourn the Public Budget Hearing. (Second by Ms. Murphy)
No discussion
Motion carries 5-0
The Public Budget Hearing closed at 6:45 p.m.
Documentation for this meeting:
March 27, 2024-Public Budget Hearing Agenda
Approved by Committee:
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Jamie Murphy, Secretary