How Did We Get Here?

1. Monson shields some jobs from cutbacks Wednesday March 12, 2008 10% increase eyed for schools Monday, February 04, 2008 School budget woes spreadMarch 3, 2008 How Did We Get Here? Monson schools facing nearly 28 layoffsFebruary 28, 2008 Proposed cuts worry parents in Monson Saturday, March 08, 2008 Monson eyes painful cutsFebruary 2, 2008 Monson officials denounce cutsFebruary 25, 2008

2. Where Does School Funding Come From? State Aid = “Chapter 70 Funds” Fixed at about 60% of the Foundation Budget and determined by the Chapter 70 formula Local Funds = Local Tax Revenue Limited to 2.5% increase per year under Proposition 2 1/2 + SCHOOL BUDGET

3. Who decides how much Monson HAS to spend on education? “The Chapter 70 program is the major program of state aid to public elementary and secondary schools. In addition to providing state aid to support school operations, it also establishes minimum spending requirements for each school district and minimum requirements for each municipality's share of school costs.”

4. Who decides how much Monson HAS to spend on education? • That’s right, the state tells us the MINIMUM amount we must contribute to our schools next year – also known as Net School Spending $5,089,158 FY09 • The state agrees to give us $7,708,640 FY09as long as we follow all the education laws.

5. How is the Chapter 70 formula determined? • In Monson, the FY09 Foundation Budget is $12,797,798

6. This is not a new problem - why is Monson always falling short? • Proposition 2 ½: means property taxes can’t increase by more than 2.5%, no matter how much the town’s costs increase.Inflation: the 2007 inflation rate was 5.7%, far above the 2.5% increase allowed. • The state and federal gov’t continue to require increased spending on mandated positions, testing and services.

7. This is not a new problem - why is Monson always falling short? • So even though State Funding increased, it isn’t enough to cover the difference between town’s increase of 2.5%, increased costs and the inflation rate. • This will continue to happen every year until the economic situation changes or we as a community choose to fund our schools at a higher rate, as most of our neighbors have.

8. District Comparison of Spending Over Required Local Contribution

9. Per Pupil Expenditure for All Neighboring Districts for 2005-2006 Per Massachusetts Department of Education

10. There is a cost to living in a small, rural community with a residential tax base. • Increased Enrollment • Increase in Special Ed spending • Energy Cost Increase 250% in 3 years • 93% Revenue from Residential

11. There is a cumulative effect of five years of budget crunches. We’ve already cut at Quarry Hill: Guidance Counselor Music Program Common Meeting Time for Curriculum Planning Literature Curricula for Grades K-4 Band for 4th Grade Increased Class Size Textbooks Science Supplies Library

12. There is a cumulative effect of five years of budget crunches. Granite Valley: Foreign Language World Language & CultureHome Economics Tech Ed Increased Class Size Broken Equipment Sports Yearbook Extra-Curricular ClubsLarge Fees for Field Trips Outdated Textbooks Professional Development Cuts Science Supplies Office & Postage Supplies AV Supplies & Repairs Career Program Testing Assistant Teachers

13. There is a cumulative effect of five years of budget crunches. Monson High School: Limited Honors and AP Courses Insufficient Lab Science Supplies Family Science Consumer Science Library Secretary ½ time of Career Facilitator Limited Technology Support Outdated Textbooks No Budgeted Capital Expenditures (Building Repairs) Professional Development Fees for Bussing Increasing Fees for Sports

14. There is a cumulative effect of five years of budget crunches. Now, we can add to the list: • Approximately 15 teachers • Increased class sizes throughout the district • Outdated Textbooks • Professional Development • Elimination of Band, Chorus, French, Swimming, some AP and Honors classes in the high school..

15. There is a cumulative effect of five years of budget crunches. • Advisory Groups, Library, Algebra, chorus, band, music class, health, Morning Show, Reading for grades 7 & 8, unsupervised boy’s locker rooms, 75 minute study halls, Computer Class, Professional Development at Granite Valley Middle School. • Reading Recovery, Library, Pool/Locker Rooms, Playground and Teachers at Quarry Hill, our largest school.

16. So, as parents and residents, what are our options? • Form an LEF, Local Education Foundation • Lobby State and Local Government for additional funding • Consider a Proposition 2 ½ Override • Strengthen and Expand Volunteer Program • Ask SC to form subcommittee to explore the issues around entering GIC • Consider asking the SC to enact substantial fees for, sports, extracurricular activities,etc. before cutting teachers.

17. What Is A Local Education Foundation? • A Private 501c3 organization consisting of articles of incorporation, a board of directors, by-laws, and tax-exempt status. • A legal entity that has defined purposes and operates under its own mission statement, which coincides with the mission of the school • An entity that can own property and engage in business. • An entity whose purpose is to financially assist the local School District with improving student achievement for all children in the local public education system.

18. Lobby Our State and Local Government for More Funds U.S. Senators Edward M. Kennedy     2400, JFK Federal Office Bldg. Boston, MA  02203        (617) 565-3170email: senator@kennedy.senate.gov John F. Kerry    ( D ) One Bowdoin Square, 10th Floor Boston, MA  02114        (617) 565-8519Springfield Office Phone: (413) 785-4610email through website: www.kerry.senate.gov Governor Deval L. Patrick   email: GOffice@state.ma.us Representative in Congress Richard E. Neal    2208 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515     (202) 225-5601Springfield Office Phone: (413) 785-0325email through website: www.house.gov/neal Senator in General Court Stephen M. Brewer     State House, Room 109B Boston, MA  02133        (617) 722-1540 State House email: Stephen.Brewer@state.ma.us Representative in Mary S. Rogeness General Court State House, Room 124 Boston, MA  02133         (617) 722-2100 District Phone: (413) 567-1661email: Rep.MaryRogeness@hou.state.ma.us  or Mary@Rogeness.com

19. Request Your Elected Town Officials Recommend and Support an Override It is up to the Board of Selectmen to recommend an override vote. • Edward Harrison, • Kathleen Norbut, knorbut@monson-ma.gov • Richard Guertin, rguertin@monson-ma.gov Address: 110 Main Street, Monson, MA 01057 Phone: (413)267-4100 Dr. Messina, Superintendent, 413-267-0076 messinad@monsonschools.com

20. Request Your Elected Town Officials Recommend and Support an Override School Committee: • Karen Patenaude, karen@alternativetelecommunications.com (413) 267-0400 • Michael Kane, mkane@miaa.net(413) 267- 4449 • Dan Nolan, Dan_Nolan@UHC.com(413) 267-0317 • Ed Maia, Edm1997@hotmail.com • (413) 348-8057

21. Revitalize Monson’s Volunteer Program • Quarry Hill and Granite Valley could both benefit from a stronger, more active volunteer program. • Volunteers can also act as “bridges” between our schools and our communities. • Strong partnerships could be formed between our Senior Center and our Schools.

22. Explore the GIC Ask SC and Board of Selectmen to form a joint committee to explore the issues around entering GIC, thereby reducing health care costs. The legislature (Chapter 67, Acts of 2007) allows towns to enter into the state's GIC with 70% approval of all collective bargaining units with additional requirements . All plans in the bargaining units have to be at the same contribution percentages. Currently retired teacher insurance percentage is 90:10. The contribution increased over 300% since FY '99. This money comes directly out of Net School Spending. For perspective, lower salaried municipal retirees (custodians, highway workers, clerks) in the 30-40K range have a 50:50 split with the town.

23. Explore the GIC • The legislature (Chapter 67, Acts of 2007) allows towns to enter into the state's GIC with 70% approval of all collective bargaining units with additional requirements . All plans in the bargaining units have to be at the same contribution percentages.

24. Explore the GIC • Currently retired teacher insurance percentage is 90:10. The contribution increased over 300% since FY '99. This money comes directly out of Net School Spending. For perspective, lower salaried municipal retirees (custodians, highway workers, clerks) in the 30-40K range have a 50:50 split with the town.

25. Why does it matter? • Good schools add to property value, bad schools lower property value. • Good schools lower the crime rate, as do extracurricular activities and sports. • Good schools are our responsibility as a community. We have a responsibility to the children of our community as our parents and grandparents had a responsibility to us. • Schools are the foundation for the future success or failure of our children.

26. How can I get involved? • Please contact Kate Mun at mike-kate@comcast.net or 413-668-6651 to join one of the following groups: • Form an LEF, Local Education Foundation • Lobby State and Local Government for additional funding • Explore a Proposition 2 ½ Override • Strengthen and Expand Volunteer Program • Ask SC to form subcommittee to explore the issues around entering GIC

27. Get Involved! • Please contact ALL of your School Committee Members about your concerns. • Please contact ALL of your Selectmen about your concerns. • Please send any creative ideas or solutions you find to Dr. Messina as well as the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen. Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to come and take part in this discussion tonight.