MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND

March 22, 2022

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

Members Present:			Theresa Spengler, Chair
			Douglas Arnold, Vice-Chair
			Tami Holden
			William O’Connell
			Liana Fenton

Also Present:			Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools
			Dina Dutremble, Interim Finance Director

The Middletown School Committee Meeting was called to order at 4:04 p.m. by Chair Theresa Spengler.

Mrs. Spengler welcomed Ms. Dutremble as Interim Finance Director.

MOTION: 1) Douglas Arnold, 2) Liana Fenton. To express confidence in the Superintendent and her efforts. Unanimous vote.

Mrs. Spengler expressed the committee’s support and confidence in the Superintendent and thanked her for her hard work and service.

The Strategic Plan and Fiscal Management Goals were reviewed. There are approximately 2073 students in the district, with 51 students out-of-district requiring transportation.

The total FY23 Operating Budget is $39,428,903. Regarding expenditures, salaries make up the largest portion at $21,422,612. Fringe benefits, which are contractual, total $8,159,656. Purchased services total $8,782,732. Other expenditures are supplies and equipment. Supplies include custodial, library books, textbooks, electricity, lumber, plumbing and heating.

Past appropriations from the Town are 0%, 1.10%, 0%, 1.6% and 2%. If 4% is received, the Town appropriation would be $28,566,290. State aid is $8,171,975

To get to 4%, the following reductions will need to be made, in addition to no new programs or staff.

· The reduction of 5 certified staff.

· Reducing Facilities Maintenance and service

· Reducing General Supplies

· Reducing Athletic Supplies

· Reducing Capital Improvements

The main challenge is preparing for the funding cliff with restricted grants. This includes 17 positions.

ACTION ITEMS

22-23 BUDGET APPROVAL

MOTION: 1) Douglas Arnold, 2) Liana Fenton. That the school committee approve the 2022-2023 Operating Budget in the amount of $39,428,903. Unanimous vote.

DEFICIT REDUCTION PLAN

MOTION: 1) Douglas Arnold, 2) Liana Fenton. That the School Committee reaffirm the vote taken at the School Committee Meeting on March 17, 2022 regarding the deficit for FY22 and send a letter regarding such to the Town Council. Unanimous vote.

Mrs. Kraeger said that the Town Administrator has requested that the School Department be more specific as to the details of the items listed in the letter.

The next School Committee Meeting will be on Wednesday, April 13^th.

MOTION: 1) Douglas Arnold, 2) Liana Fenton. To adjourn from the School Committee Meeting at 5:25 p.m. Unanimous vote.

Respectfully Submitted,

Theresa Spengler, Chair