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Politics & Government

Regional School Committee Review Nuts And Bolts Of Budget

A vocal ensemble course is one of the largest of the cuts. But will become an after school program.

Part of the Dover-Sherborn Regional School Committee meeting on Tuesday night was a detailed power point presentation of the school district’s approximately $20 million budget by chairman Robyn Hunter and vice chair Clare Graham.

They stated in the presentation that the largest obstacles were, “reduced revenue from the federal, state, local receipts and E&D usage.”

Hunter said that 80-percent of the budget is employee expenses and the of the towns on the wastewater treatment facility for the high school that would add another $590,000. 

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This year’s budget has the cost-per-student at $15,912, which is up 4.2976% over the previous year.  Enrollment is also up .62%.

The largest program cut was the high school’s vocal ensemble course, which saved the district $12,576 and has been moved to become an after school program.

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After Tuesday’s meeting committee member Richard Robinson noted that the cutting of the course, without enough discussion beforehand, was the sole reason he did not vote in favor of the budget.

The other large cutback was $21, 810 in textbooks and supplies. 

State aid decreased by $83,903 and is now at $1,352,295.

The district is transferring only $100,000 from E&D as opposed to $400,000 last year.

Fees and local receipts are down to $100,000, which is a difference of  $20,000 from last year.

Overall revenue and grants for the district are down $403,903.  The district has received $186,289 in community donations.  

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