Hayman: SC committed to 4% increase

Posted on: Thursday, March 21, 2019

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — In a surprising turn of events, the Board of Selectmen voted 2-1 last week to reopen the town’s proposed fiscal year 2020 operating budget as the April 29 Town Meeting approaches.

Selectmen Chairman Dick Dalton and Selectman Phil Crawford voted to rescind approval of the proposed spending plan for FY’20. Selectman Chris Barrett opposed the move.

“There have been certain items that have come to the attention of myself and the town administrator with respect to the School Department budget,” said Dalton. “There have been multiple conversations between the town administrator and the superintendent, and myself and the chairman of the School Committee. We are working through some things.”

Dalton recommended that the board rescinds its approval of the proposed $56,681,943 FY’20 operating budget until the selectmen receive “updated information.”

“We will be able to go forward from there,” said Dalton. “I think that will clarify the whole budget situation.”

Selectman Phil Crawford said the board’s vote to approve the budget was “premature” because it took place before the annual public hearing on the FY’20 spending plan.

“In past practice, we have approved the budget after the public hearing,” said Crawford.

After speaking with Superintendent Jane Tremblay and School Committee members, Barrett said he was against Dalton’s proposal.

“I am going to vote no on reopening this budget,” said Barrett. “As we all know, the Education Reform Act gives the Board of Selectmen the power to work with the School Committee to set a bottom line. We have given them a bottom line and I think to reopen the discussion right now is not warranted. Since my time on the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee, the one thing I have prided myself on is a strong partnership between both boards. I know my fellow colleagues think the same and believe the same.”

Barrett noted the School Committee has yet to vote on the final FY’20 school budget, which will take place on April 9. He said Town Administrator Rob Dolan was scheduled to meet with school officials to discuss the budget’s changes.

“I commend the School Department for providing us with a budget that positively impacts our students on many different levels, especially with addressing the important social-emotional needs of all students,” said Barrett. “Until I am shown that bottom line is going to increase, which I haven’t been shown yet, I think reopening the budget for reconsideration is premature at this time. I know the School Committee would agree with me on that and I know the superintendent would too. I think we should wait until the School Committee decides on their budget. If there is a change in that bottom line, then I would vote to reopen the budget but not at this time.”

SC responds

School Committee Chairman Jamie Hayman provided the Villager with the following statement on the Board of Selectmen’s vote.

“When Superintendent Tremblay presented the budget to the Board of Selectmen last month, she was given direction to bring the budget to a 4 percent increase,” said Hayman. “Although the final budget has yet to be finalized and voted, the superintendent and the School Committee remain committed to presenting a budget with a 4 percent increase. We are not aware of any new items, which would prevent us from meeting the town’s request of a 4 percent budget.

“As we do each spring, the School Department continues to monitor fall ‘19 kindergarten registrations along with families that will be moving in and out of Lynnfield as it relates to the number of classes in each grade and special services needs, and the resulting impact on the FY’20 budget,” Hayman continued. “Additionally, the School Committee has come to a tentative contract agreement with the Lynnfield Teachers Association, pending a vote of the membership. Terms will be shared publicly once the contract has been ratified by the LTA and formally approved by the School Committee. However, the terms of the contract have been factored into the 4 percent budget.

“At the April 9 School Committee meeting, Superintendent Tremblay will present the 4 percent budget along with the changes from the original presentation that occurred to get the district to 4 percent,” said Hayman. “At that time, the School Committee will vote to approve that budget.

“As Selectman Barrett stated at (the March 18) meeting, the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen have a long history of working together to ensure Lynnfield students receive the very best education possible and we look forward to continuing that history,” Hayman concluded.

School Committeeman Phil McQueen weighed-in on the selectmen’s vote in a Facebook post.

“Everything in this budget is a need for the School Department,” McQueen stated. “There are no wishes or wants. Please be prepared to come to Town Meeting to ensure that Lynnfield Public Schools are adequately funded and that Lynnfield continues to prioritize educational excellence.”