Politics & Government
Regional School Committee Hoping To Have Found Wiggle Room For Sherborn's Budgetary Deficiencies
Superintendent proposes to use an extra $250,000 in E&D money to help close the budget gap. The move is dependent upon whether both towns agree to bond the high school wastewater treatment plant at their annual town meetings.
After many tension filled meetings between various Dover and Sherborn municipal committees and boards, the Dover-Sherborn Regional School Committee voted to approve an additional $250,000 from the region’s free cash, which they call E&D, on Tuesday.
The school committee will not certify their new budget, with additional savings proposed by Superintendent Valerie Spriggs, unless both towns vote in favor of bonding the high school wastewater treatment facility, at their respective town meetings.
Spriggs offered further cuts in the budget to cover Sherborn's $253,000 budget gap.
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On March 29 the school committee voted an additional $150,000 to close the gap, $69,900 of which will add to Sherborn’s 46.6% share of the budget. An additional $25,000 from legal settlements, $16,000 from reduced athletic transportation and another $250,000 from E&D will bring Sherborn’s 46.6% share down to $38,174.
Ruth Chamberlin, chair of Sherborn’s Advisory Committee, called the use of further E&D funds a “release of tension,” and said she still can’t tell how the voting will turn out in Sherborn.
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She added that if the school committee can make a compelling argument on the floor at Sherborn’s Town Meeting, the residents would understand.
Chamberlain said in regards to the remaining money needed for their share of the schools budget, she would advise Sherborn to use more free cash.
Yolanda Eckert, chair of Sherborn’s Capital Committee, said her committee recommends to Sherborn that only the first stage of the school’s wastewater treatment plant can be afforded at this point.
The first stage will cost $440,000 and the second $80,000.
Robyn Hunter, chair of the Regional School Committee, said they might not need the second stage once the first is complete but it was recommended by the state Department of Environmental Protection that they plan for it.
Hunter said that the exchange between the various municipal committees has been taxing for all those involved. “We are encouraged by the dialogue,” she said and even though they may not like what they hear, “that doesn’t stop us from talking.”
Hunter believes this year has been harder than most and looks toward an easier future.
The school committee decided to keep their budget at $20,135,947 and recertify the lower budget if both towns approve the bond for the wastewater treatment facility.