Committee for Education in the 21st Century     Home
PO Box 812293
Wellesley, MA 02482-2293
 
   
Supporting Education in the Wellesley Public Schools
Committee for Education in the 21st Century December 9, 2005


Upcoming Operating Budget Presentation

High School Project Update

WPS 5-Year Capital Plan

Town Meeting Member Papers Available

The Last Word
 
WHS

Join Our Mailing List
Email:

Upcoming meetings:

School Committee: Tuesday, 12/13 at 7:30 pm in the WHS library. Televised live on Comcast cable, channel 9. On the agenda: FY07 Operating Budget Request.

Facilities Advisory Committee 12/15 at 7:30 pm, 2nd Floor Conference Room, DPW. On the agenda: Ongoing consideration of the proposals for renovating/rebuilding Wellesley High School.

School Committee: Tuesday, 1/3 and 4 at 7:30 pm in the WHS library. On the Agenda: Public Hearing on the Operating Budget Request.

School Committee: Thursday, 1/5 at 7:30 pm in the WHS library. Televised live on Comcast cable, channel 9. On the agenda: VOTE on the FY07 Operating Budget.



Three major pushes are in motion this week, all raising multiple complex issues and having critical long-term ramifications. Decisions on the High School project, the WPS operating budget and the WPS long-term capital plans are on the current agenda. For more details, see articles below.
  • Upcoming Operating Budget Presentation
    		•

    The WPS Administration will present the FY07 Operating Budget Request to the School Committee on Tuesday, December 13th.

    The Administration usually starts by assessing a level-services budget. That is, they outline the funding required to maintain the current level of programming, class sizes and resources. In addition, they outline the projected expenditures in Special Education based on the students expected to require services.

    The following items are likely to drive significant budget increases: increased enrollment, increased fuel costs and increased Special Education tuition and transportation costs. As in the past few years, it is expected that these fixed increases will push the budget beyond the guideline provided by the Town.

    Therefore, School Committee will likely ask the Administration to consider items to bring the budget down. In recent comments, the Administration has strongly asserted that there is no individual program or item in the WPS Budget of great enough cost which, if cut, will provide the requested savings.

    School Committee will review the Budget Request, make reductions to the extent necessary, and vote on a final Operating Budget by January 5th. Once approved by School Committee, the Operating Budget will be presented to Advisory Committee for further review. Advisory may recommend that School Committeee make yet further reductions. In addition, the School Committee works with the other Town Boards, as part of the Interboard Finance Committee, to further refine the school budget.

    The final budget is presented at Town Meeting. Items cut during this entire process would almost certainly not be returned to the budget at Town Meeting. Therefore, you are encouraged to follow the process as it occurs so that you can provide informed input as you see warranted. If you are not able to attend in person, the meeting is televised live on Comcast Cable, channel 9.

    Many of you recall that last year the Elementary Spanish Program was on the list of items to be cut initially by School Committee, but was reinstated in the budget due to an outpouring of public support. Although it was not ultimately retained, the decision rested with voters and it was not cut prematurely.

     
  • High School Project Update
    		•

    The Facilities Advisory Commission (FAC) was formed by the Wellesley School Committee in January 2005. The FAC has reviewed the report prepared by the architects, Symmes, Maini & McKee Associates (SMMA), which outlines four options for the high school, and met with school administrators, the architects and the School Committee.

    The options are based on SMMA's report on the physical systems of the high school and the constraints imposed by the building's design: The majority of physical systems are in need of major repair or replacement and the current design does not adequately support the enrollment needs (neither current nor projected).

    While no determination has yet been reached, at the most recent FAC meeting on December 7, some members stated that they were in favor of a new building on the existing site. This was based upon the failing systems, the need for additional space, the need for flexible space and the desire to build a high school that will meet the needs of the educators and students in the future. Some concerns were raised regarding the short and long term needs of the five elementary schools that may require repairs or renovation, and the voters' willingness to fund a new high school building.

    Next Steps: It is expected that the FAC will make a recommendation to School Committee by the end of this month. School Committee will review the recommendation and outline a final Project Plan that ultimately will be considered by Town Meeting.

    Click here for the SMMA presentation on the WHS project options......
  • WPS 5-Year Capital Plan
    		•

    The WPS Administration has prepared a 5-year Capital Plan as the first step in developing a long- term Capital Plan. The plan is based on a recent study by Symmes, Maini & McKee Associates (SMMA) who was hired to review the state of our school facilities. The study in its entirety is available in the Wellesley Free Library and the Superintendent’s office.

    In summary, the 5-Year Capital Plan outlines the projected spending needed to maintain the school facilities in the near term. Included in these figures are costs associated with:
    • equipment (copiers, vehicles, etc)
    • infrastructure (electrical, emergency systems, plumbing, heating, roofing, etc)
    • routine maintenance
    • safety
    • technology (computer replacement based on a 6- year cycle)

    Year 1 of the Plan is the budget requested for FY07 ($1.2M + $2.1M for modular classrooms) which has already been reviewed by School Committee and is undergoing review by Advisory.

    The subsequent 4 years are projected as follows:
    • FY08 - $5.2M (driven by ceiling and roof maintenance/replacement and window replacement at Fiske and WHS; lighting at Hardy and Upham; boiler replacement at Hardy)
    • FY09 - $2.5M (driven by ceiling and roof maintenance/replacement at Hardy and Hunnewell; replacement of unit ventilator at Hunnewell; boiler replacement at Schofield)
    • FY10 - $3.4M (driven by ceiling and roof maintenance/replacement at Schofield; boiler replacement at Upham);
    • FY11 - $2.0M (driven by ceiling and roof maintenance/replacement at Upham)

    Techonology costs average $550,000 per year and include the replacement of computers on a 6-year cycle.

    The School Committee has asked SMMA to attend the December 13th School Committee meeting to discuss long-term elementary renovation and building projects.

    Further, SMMA recommended that School Committee consider the addition of a Capital Replacement Reserve to the annual budget. In this way, the cost of anticipated expenditures can more reasonably be borne over a longer period than if in lump sum. Although ideal, in the tight budget environment it would be difficult to adequately fund such a reserve. can be funded adequately.

     
  • Town Meeting Member Papers Available
    		•

    If you are interested in becoming a Town Meeting Member, the nomination process is now underway.

    There are 240 Town Meeting Members with representatives elected from each of the 7 precincts. The term of office runs for three years; each year, approximately 11 positions in each precinct are open for new candidates and candidates who wish to run again. Town Meeting Members are elected by the residents of his/her precinct.

    Nomination papers for candidates for new members may be obtained at the Clerk's office beginning December 7, 2005.

    The deadline to take out papers for Town- wide offices is January 13, 2006, 5:00 pm. Town- wide papers are due on or before January 17, 2006, 5:00 pm.

    The Annual Town Election will be March 7, 2006.

    For more information on becoming a Town Meeting Member, click here to go to the Town Clerk's website.
  • The Last Word
    		•

    The renovation or new construction of Wellesley High School provides the Town of Wellesley an exciting opportunity to provide a facility of which the Town can be proud for years to come.

    In the last decade or so, the successes of WHS are the result of a superior teaching staff and administration creatively maximizing all available space and resources. Many say that learning is achieved through great teaching, not great buildings; this is true, up to a point. At that point, the physical building limits the ability of teachers to incorporate new teaching methods, individualize programs of study and deliver superior education.

    A new or renovated high school would enable the teaching staff and administration to maximize the learning process for all students now and provide the flexibility to continue to do so for the next 50 years.