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W-H district rolls out budget

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Officials unveil level-service plan, make case for ‘Student Success’ budget

As promised, the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District rolled out two budget proposals during the Wednesday, Feb. 3 School Committee public hearing on the fiscal 2017 budget.

A $45,714,344 level-service budget, already reflecting a $1,388,214 deficit due to increases in fixed costs, was outlined by line item, followed by the review of three goals that would be incorporated in a “Student Success” budget that would add $3 million to the bottom line.

WHRSDWhat form the budget will ultimately take will be decided by the School Committee in the coming weeks.

The current fiscal 2016 budget of $45,688,067 had been increased only .01 percent — reflecting an increase in local assessments of 3 percent, or about $500,000.

Several officials from both towns’ select boards and finance committees were joined by the district’s state legislators and dozens of educators and concerned parents at the annual budget presentation.

“I have in front of me a stack of letters from constituents of the School District to all of us,” School Committee Chairman Robert Hayes told his members. “I also had come to the district a stack of letters from a second grade group of students talking about restoring libraries. We’re hearing you. We’re going to be discussing it.”

He implored concerned residents to attend meetings during which the budget is discussed.

“We believe in education, that’s why we’re on this board,” he said.

The budget is available online at whrsd.org along with information on state Chapter 70 aid reviewed by Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) representative Melissa King.

Whitman is currently 8.5 percent — or $1,322,998 — short of the target share sought by the state in its Chapter 70 calculations. Hanson is 5.21 percent below target share — $1,170,654.

Two Whitman residents urged adoption of the student success budget.

“I think the students deserve that,” one resident said. “They’ve lost a good amount of things over the years.”

“Our kids deserve every last bit of this,” Marshall Ottina said. “How can we, in any good conscience, not vote for this $3 million?”

“This is the beginning of the budget process for the district,” said Hayes in his introduction to the hearing. “The superintendent meets with the leadership team and they go over and present the budget and formulate what you have in front of you. This is the first night.”

He stressed that the final budget may not end up looking “anywhere near” the presentation as the committee works toward a vote on a spending plan for fiscal year 2017. That vote must come in mid-March, 45 days before the town meetings.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner made the budget presentation, beginning with an overview and historical background. She then discussed grants/other funding sources, revenue and the budget proposals in turn, pausing for questions as they came up.

“This has been a long process, and probably one of the most challenging ones we’ve done,” Gilbert-Whitner said. “It’s going to cost 2.25 percent — or approximately $1.1 million — more just to do the same thing [as in fiscal 2016].”

The average per-pupil spending statewide, according to DESE, is $14,518 (fiscal 2013-14), but W-H spends $11,126 per pupil — 10th from the bottom, she noted.

Perceptions

“I think we do a great job in this district in terms of getting a lot out of a dollar,” Gilbert-Whitner said of the student success budget proposal. “But there’s a lot we’re not doing. For many years we’ve been told W-H cries wolf because we’re getting good results and, darn it, look what they can do. But this year we couldn’t fix it.”

The “three pillars” of the proposal — healthy bodies/healthy minds, a cohesive prekindergarten to grade 12 system and safe/secure schools — include budgeting $500,000 toward reducing elementary class size, $400,000 to implement free all-day kindergarten, $320,000 to restore the library program, $240,000 to replace the grant funding the elementary science curriculum, $70,000 for middle school foreign language programs and about $170,000 for music and art, among other line items.

Professional development expenditures have declined to $35.17 per pupil, vs. a state average of $217.34. Enrollment had also been declining in recent years, but has begun to stabilize. One lower-than-average expenditure Gilbert-Whitner highlighted was administrative costs — 2.77 percent of the budget. The state average is $500.15 per pupil, while W-H spends $314.81.

“We often hear in the district that people think we are administration-heavy,” she said. “We put our money into classroom and specialist teachers.”  [W-H is at $4,437.61 per pupil with the state average $5,441.36.]

Grants augment revenue in several key programs, but some the district receives are expiring and competition for some others is becoming more keen.

“There aren’t nearly as many grant opportunities available, but we certainly need them,” Gilbert-Whitner said. “We are funding 81 positions outside of the LEA budget.”

School Choice, accepted for high school students only and bringing in $5,000 per student from sending districts, funds programs for that school only. WHRHS is using the funds to hire the teachers needed to help implement a schedule and program of studies change next year.

Hayes vehemently denied rumors that the high school recruits school choice students. It is also against MIAA rules.

The bulk of revenue, however, comes from Chapter 70 and local aid funds.

State representatives Josh Cutler, D-Duxbury, and Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman, as well as state Sen. Mike Brady, D-Brockton, have signed onto a letter to the House and Senate Ways & Means committees seeking an increase in the Chapter 70 funding formula. The increase would change the minimum aid increment from $20 to $50 per pupil. It was $25 per pupil last year.

“It’s a protection,” Diehl said. “Chapter 70 is a formula because it protects those funds from being politicized.”

That said, he noted legislators on both sides of the aisle recognize more funds are needed. Diehl also credited Cutler for his networking on behalf of regional schools on Beacon Hill.

“We try to bump up the numbers wherever we have the ability to do so,” Cutler said about the minimum aid. “It is something we are all in unison on.”

Brady said the school budget funding formula is reviewed every year.

“But at the end of the day, we have to balance the budget,” he said. “In the meantime, we can try to file any amendments you’d like to try to adjust the budget.
Projected revenue for the WHRSD level service budget now stands at $45,326,130 with no assessment increases from the towns other than to account for population shifts.

Debt payments for the high school are about $100,000 lower for the towns after a refinance in June.

Non-mandated transportation assessments in the FY 2017 budget are $351,012 for Whitman and $96,280 for Hanson — also calculated by enrollment, a figure that also drives local assessment calculations.

Organized by school, the FY 2017 level service budget line items show, for example, that elementary principals’ travel and supplies funds were eliminated and teacher salary changes reflect contract or status changes and any use of revolving funds. District expenses also reflect changes in debt service and reductions in legal fees not needed after teacher contract negotiations concluded.

McAleer shines for Shriners

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W-H junior named to All-Star Classic game

By Nathan Rollins
Express correspondent

McAleer shines for Shriners: Whitman-Hanson/Silver Lake girls’ hockey is sending a player to skate in this year’s Shriners All-Star Classic. Forward Melanie McAleer has been selected to compete in the event.

The Shriners All-Star Classic is a showcase of the best and most talented hockey players across Massachusetts. The game is played to help raise money for Shriners Hospitals for Children, specifically for the Aleppo Transportation Fund. Every year, the event raises thousands of dollars for the hospitals. The event illustrates the devotion Shriners Hospitals for Children has for their patients.

WHSL co-captain Mel McAleer, a junior forward, has been selected to participate in the seventh annual Shriners All-Star Hockey Classic on Saturday, March 26. Photo by Sue Moss

WHSL co-captain Mel McAleer, a junior forward, has been selected to participate in the seventh annual Shriners All-Star Hockey Classic on Saturday, March 26.
Photo by Sue Moss

McAleer said being one of a handful of girls chosen to take part in the action is a tremendous gesture.

“To play in the Shriners All-Star Classic Game is truly an honor,” the junior said. “I always knew that the players that were picked to participate are highly respected on and off the ice and it is truly a privilege to be one of them this year.”

The game, which is scheduled for Friday, March 26 at the in Loring Arena in Framingham, held an orientation on Feb. 6 at the Performing Arts Center at Reading Memorial High School. It was there, that the players took team and individual pictures had the chance to meet with their coaches. McAleer said it was an incredible feeling to be among some of the best hockey players around but that’s not the real reason the game is held.

“What inspired me most during the orientation, was the video presentation that was shown of the patients that Shriners has helped,” McAleer said. “Listening to their stories made me understand why they bring us all together. It is awesome to be considered one of the best hockey players in the state, but it feels much better to be looked to with the responsibility of raising money for such a great organization.”

The 17-year-old McAleer said the sport of hockey drew her in at a young age and she has pursued it ever since.

“My family has always been into hockey, but my love for the game was natural,” McAleer said. “I always loved skating and when I was 7-year-old, my mom finally agreed to let me start playing. Ever since then, I haven’t stopped loving it.”

Whitman-Hanson / Silver Lake girl’s hockey coach, Kevin Marani, said McAleer has an incredible amount of talent on the ice.

“[She’s] an amazing strong skater with great stickhandling and a hard shot,” Marani, who coached McAleer for one year in youth hockey, said. “What separates Mel from most of the players is her unselfishness, commitment and leadership. Those three characteristics are paramount to our team’s success.

McAleer has notched 26 goals and complied 13 assists so far this season.

Weymouth man charged in Hanson bank robbery

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Weymouth man charged in Hanson bank robbery: Michael Neumeyer 40, of Weymouth has been arrested in connection with the Thursday, Jan. 28 robbery of the Mutual Bank branch at 430 Liberty St., Hanson.   

suspect

Michael Neumeyer 40, of Weymouth has been arrested in connection with the Thursday, Jan. 28 robbery of the Mutual Bank branch at 430 Liberty St., Hanson.

Neumeyer was taken into custody without incident at about 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 29 at his residence located on Avalon Dr. Weymouth by Hanson Police with the assistance of Weymouth Police Department.  Hanson Police had obtained information from witnesses that lead to the apprehension of Neumeyer. 

After his arrest, Neumeyer was transported back to the Hanson Police Department and booked on the charges of armed robbery and larceny over $250.

Search Warrants were obtained for his residence and vehicle. Clothing matching the description worn by the robber, a pellet gun, and cash were seized along with a black 2007 Jeep Cherokee. 

The incident continues to be and ongoing investigation, according toa statement issued by Hanson Police.

Neumeyer is being held at the Plymouth County House of Correction on $50,000 cash bail pending his arraignment on Monday Feb. 1. 

Weymouth Police, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI assisted in this investigation. 

Mutual-012816

Clothing matching the description worn by the robber, a pellet gun, and cash were seized along with a black 2007 Jeep Cherokee.

Hanson bank robbery investigated

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Hanson bank robbery investigated: A midday bank robbery at the Mutual Bank 430 Liberty St. Thursday, Jan. 28 closed the branch for the rest of the day as authorities investigated the incident.

In a prepared press release Hanson police described the male suspect as approximately 6-feet, 4-inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He handed the teller a note stating he had a weapon and demanded cash in large bills. No weapon was shown. He was approximately 30 years old with dark hair.

Mutual-012816

The suspect was wearing lime green nylon pants with a yellow stripe, dark-colored winter jacket, black knight hat, sunglasses, and red and black winter gloves.

The suspect was wearing lime green nylon pants with a yellow stripe, dark-colored winter jacket, black knight hat, sunglasses, and red and black winter gloves. The suspect fled in a small dark colored SUV believed to be a Jeep Liberty or Jeep Compass. The vehicle fled west on Route 14 toward Whitman. 

Hanson Police, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department BCI Unit, and the FBI are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hanson Police at 781-293-4625.

A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.   

As of Friday afternoon there had been no arrests made, according to Hanson Chief Michael Miksch.

Afternoon bank robbery at Mutual Bank in Hanson

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At approximately 12:50 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, the Mutual Bank branch on Liberty Street in Hanson was robbed. The scene is still active and under investigation by the Hanson police. The Express will provide more details as they become available.

Scene of the robbery midday Thursday on Liberty Street in Hanson. The Mutual Bank branch will be closed for the rest of the business day. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos

Scene of the robbery midday Thursday on Liberty Street in Hanson. The Mutual Bank branch will be closed for the rest of the business day.
Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos

Whitman and Hanson libraries receive bequest

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Whitman and Hanson libraries receive bequest

BROCKTON — Some people may, on occasion, consider taking a walk to their town’s public library — if the weather is nice and it’s not too far — but avid patron Bruno G. Guerra of Hanson thought nothing of walking as much as four miles through the woods to use a library.

The Brockton native used his research at three area libraries to build a healthy stock portfolio and, in his will, shared the dividends.

Brockton, Hanson and Whitman public libraries were each left more than $350,000 for capital projects. Guerra also left funds to Bentley College to endow a scholarship in honor of his wife Marjorie.

All three libraries will also post a memorial plaque to Guerra.

The libraries receiving bequests from Guerra’s estate co-hosted a reception program at the main branch of the Brockton Public Library Sunday afternoon as a thank you to his family.

“He loved the library,” said nephew Barry Guerra. “He loved to read and had a lot of passion for libraries and he had a lot of friends — he just loved to talk to people.”

The libraries loved him back as the advocate for the valuable services libraries continue to provide communities.

“It took a lot of self control on my part to tell nobody for like a year,” Brockton Library Trustees President Fred Howell said of the probate period. “We decided it would be really nice to have an event to memorialize Bruno’s gift to the library systems of Brockton, Hanson and Whitman and to bring his family here to recognize what a wonderful gift this was.”

Library directors were invited to talk about the benefits of the libraries to their communities.

“Libraries are a place that anybody can go to,” Howell said. “It’s just a huge opportunity and a place where you can grow personally.”

Two of Guerra’s friends — Corinne Cafardo of Hanson and Don Karp of Brockton — spoke fondly of their late friend.

“The [Hanson Library] Foundation is overwhelmed by the generous donation made by Bruno Guerra,” said Foundation member Cafardo, a neighbor of Guerra’s. She enjoyed conversations with him about libraries and books he liked to read.

Honoring a friend

After seeing him walking through Whitman one day, Cafardo asked Guerra where he was headed and he told her he often walked the two miles from his house on Holly Ridge Drive in Hanson to the Whitman Library. Agreeing that Whitman’s Library is an excellent facility within easy walking distance, Cafardo also told him about Hanson’s library.

“Then I found out he had walked four and a half miles to the Hanson Library through the woods,” she said. “I had a talk with him about walking through the woods. I didn’t want anything to happen to him. The next I heard, he was walking down Route 58.”

She then had to insist driving was safer.

Cafardo said Bruno believed in the value of public libraries as a means to connect people and foster friendships.

“I will always remember Bruno as a loveable neighbor and friend,” she said, choked with emotion.

Karp, for whose family business — Central Radio Stores — Guerra worked for some 50 years, related how Guerra worked to learn bookkeeping and became a tax preparer.

“His life was centered around the library,” Karp said. “He was a very modest man, not particularly materialistic, he drove old cars because they were imperfect.”

Libraries were Guerra’s Google search engine, he said. He used the library to research companies before making small investments.

“His life centered around the store, his friends, his nephews in particular and the library,” Karp said.

Plans for gift

Hanson Library Director Nancy Cappellini, said Guerra was a very humble man who  is helping enhance the facility. She said his bequest can help her library, built in 1991 and outgrown within four years, to expand.

“Libraries are busier than ever,” she said. “You can find any information you need … it’s a lifeline for most people.”

Whitman’s Assistant Library Director Marcie Walsh-O’Connor said the gift is greatly appreciated by a staff that is as dedicated to the community as Guerra was to libraries.

“It is truly a blessing to have staff and to have a community that cares,” she said, noting the gift will be used to enhance library technology. “Most people no longer have a desktop in their home anymore, so the ability to have brand-new computers in the library to assist them so that the staff can sit with them and show them how to use this lovely gift will be amazing.”

Brockton Library Board of Directors member Mark Lindy added that libraries treat all patrons alike.

“There are no barriers,” he said referring to a 1930s WPA mural on the third floor that calls libraries “the people’s university.”

Physical barriers to the city’s libraries were recently removed through renovations at the main and east branches and Guerra’s gift will be used to help renovate the west branch.

“People that need to seek jobs come here, people that need to learn about the stock market come here … and we’re just happy and pleased that we have all these folks here on a cold winter’s day to keep the library alive,” Lindy said.

Bob Buckley, chief of staff to Brockton Mayor Bill Carpenter concluded the program by presenting a citation of appreciation to members of Guerra’s family.

“Municipalities can’t survive without the generosity of people like Bruno Guerra,” he said. “Money is tight, as you all know, we’re battling for every dollar at the state, federal and local level and a gift like this is something that opens doors to people that would [otherwise] be closed forever.”

South Shore Vo-Tech gets budget review

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South Shore Vo-Tech gets budget review

HANOVER — The South Shore Regional School Committee held its annual public hearing on the school budget proposal for fiscal year 2017 — a $12,455,356 spending plan — on Wednesday, Jan. 20. That figure represents a 2.91-percent ($352,203) increase over fiscal 2016.

Preliminary information on town assessments will be available after the governor’s budget is released Wednesday, Jan. 27. The committee will take a vote on certifying the district budget on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Finance committee representatives from Whitman and Scituate attended the Jan. 20 hearing.

SSVT_frontMore than 300 applications were received last year for the school’s 180 seats in the freshmen Class of 2019, according to Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas J. Hickey who called it “one of our strongest years on record.”

Because of the added students, even if assessment formula remains the same, SSVT will have a bigger foundation budget which should bring in more state aid.

“We build a budget zero-based, of course, so each year there are factors that change,” Hickey said.

Within the budget request are:

• $170,000 for capital expenses such as paving, rooftop units, instructional technology and feasibility funds placed in stabilization;

• $175,533 for full-time entrepreneurship and science teachers and a part-time graphics communications position (the latter two now funded by grants) and summer funds for an assistant to the technology director;

• $112,140 for active employee health insurance, a 12-percent increase;

• $1,977,885 — 15.9 percent — of the budget covers health insurance, retirement, debt, unemployment, snow removal and other post-employment benefits (OPEB).

Non-salary budget items are projected to cost less than in fiscal 2016, Hickey said.
“There’s not five cents-worth of fluff in here, so if we don’t have it we don’t get to use it,” said committee Chairman Robert Molla. “We don’t have the ability to go back [to towns] for an override to get more money and we don’t have the ability to go beyond what we have.”

The committee also voted Jan. 20 to resubmit a statement of interest letter to the Mass. School Building Authority (MSBA) to fund building renovation work to the heating system in the original   1962 part of the school and adding on for needed space.

“Whether MSBA invites us into their core program, or not, I want to begin to build toward us eventually having to look at the fact that renovations to the building will need to be done,” Hickey said. “I am very proud of the fact that we do not need a total overhaul of this building.”

In other business, the committee honored Whitman culinary arts senior Connor Christie as Student of the Month and allied health teacher Lynne Ricardo as Staff Member of the Month.

Christie, who plans on attending the Culinary Institute of America next year, was selected “for his overall efforts within the school,” said Assistant Principal Mark Aubrey.

“Many teachers spoke about how hard a worker he is, how willing he is to assist others, I personally say he is a self-learner … which is always a good thing in life,” Aubrey said. “He seeks out additional work to see how it can apply to skills he has learned … and never hesitates to help a peer who might need additional support.”

Christie is also on the management track at McDonalds, a highly competitive industry program, as part of his co-op work.

Ricardo was selected by students during her first year at SSVT on the strength of her inspirational presence in the classroom, according to Principal Margaret Dutch.

“She is very helpful and understanding,” one student reported. “She is a good person to talk to and has a great personality.”

“She is always there for us when we need her,” said another. “She is willing to share her knowledge with us and never fails to put a smile on her students’ faces.”

“It is very easy to talk to her and have a regular conversation instead of the typical teacher-student conversation about school or homework,” another student said.

Dutch also announced an online application for admission to the school has been launched.

“It is posted and we have already started receiving applications from students online,” she said. “It allows students and parents to make that decision at home, to answer those questions together — they’re not doing it at their middle school where they might be writing down what their friends want … and it brings that information directly to us.”

Hanson plans future for Plymouth County Hospital

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Resident members approved for reuse committee as Hanson plans future for Plymouth County Hospital

HANSON — Selectmen got their wish.

After postponing appointment of the two at-large citizen representatives to the Final Plymouth County Hospital Re-use Committee on Jan. 12 in an effort to attract more applicants, they received four more.

Green Hanson founder and chairman Marianne DiMascio and environmental consultant Philip F. Clemons were appointed from a five-person pool that included original applicant and Community Preservation Commission Chairman Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett. Robert Sutter and town building maintenance employee Brian H. Clemons, both members of the original reuse committee, had also applied. Resident Mark Vess had indicated via email an interest in serving, but selectmen only considered those who had filed applications by Jan. 15.

plymouth_county_hospital“I am an excellent team member and good at consensus building, facilitating discussions and ensuring that all voices are heard,” DiMascio stated in her application. She works in public policy with the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Phil Clemons noted his experience with regulatory permitting, environmental compliance, facilities planning and management.

They will join Selectman Don Howard, Planning Board designee Don Ellis and a representative from the Zoning Board of Appeals on the PCH committee.

FitzGerald-Kemmett, who was the only applicant attending the meeting, pledged to attend all reuse committee meetings citing the need for CPC involvement with the project. She supported the appointment of DiMascio.

Selectman James McGahan expressed concern that FitzGerald-Kemmett was already spread thin with her other club and committee work. Selectmen Chairman Bruce Young said he would not vote on her nomination — but would not vote against her — noting he backed DiMascio as a new face.

“Laura’s tremendously qualified for this committee,” Young said.  “The only thing I would say is we have a relatively new person here that wants to get involved … I just would like to see a new face on the committee.”

McGahan noted that, in addition to Community Preservation, FitzGerald-Kemmett is also active with the Hanson Business Network, Hanson Kiwanis and Panther Education Trust.

“The only problem I have is the number of committees that [she’s] on,” McGahan said.

FitzGerald-Kemmett countered that she is “very well aware” of her obligations.

“I think I’m really the best judge of what my ability to take on more would be,” she said. “This isn’t a lifetime commitment. This has to be done by Town Meeting.”

Selectmen encouraged her to attend meetings to bring Community Preservation input to the discussion.

“I think, with Laura’s experience with Community Preservation, she would be a valuable asset,” Selectman Kenny Mitchell said in support of her appointment.

The Selectmen also approved the Highway Building Committee’s selection of Weston and Sampson environmental consultants of Boston to conduct a needs assessment, authorizing Interim Town Administrator Richard LaCamera to sign a contract.

“All four of [the interviewing firms] did a real good job — good presentations — but one particular company kind of knocked it out of the park,” Selectmen Bill Scott, who chairs the building committee, said of Weston and Sampson. The firm also came in under budget, bidding $28,000. Town Meeting had appropriated $30,000 for the assessment.

“This company just stood right out,” said Mitchell, who also serves on the building committee. He noted that Weston and Sampson does not subcontract services.

In other business, LaCamera reported on progress with the fiscal 2017 budget. Selectmen were provided budget books for review.

The town has $21,826,000 available for appropriation.

The school budgets for both W-H and South Shore Vo-Tech [see related story] had not been received as yet. W-H rolls out its budget Wednesday, Feb. 3.

The Propostion 2 ½ levy limit would bring in an added $437,000 and new growth accounts for $175,000 — down from $373,000 last year — of available revenues. Gov. Charlie Baker is pledging no cuts to local aid, which would mean Hanson could even see an increase of $50,000 over the current $1,371,000.

“It’s down significantly from last year,” LaCamera said of new growth revenue, because condominiums under construction last year have been completed.

Debt exclusion payments for the new police station ($389,000) and the high school ($347,000) and the first of five payments for school technology ($160,000) must also be calculated into the fiscal 2017 spending plan. Payments for the high school have been reduced by about $20,000 through refinancing and will continue to decline over the remaining 10 years on the bond. The town is also involved in contract negotiations with five unions.

“There is no amount [in the budget] having to do with union negotiations at this point,” LaCamera said.

Legislators and school board discuss Chapter 70 funding

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How it adds up: Legislators and school board discuss Chapter 70 funding

When the W-H Regional School District budget is rolled out Feb. 3, it will consist of two scenarios — one reflecting the increased costs in a level-service budget and one a student-success budget — according to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner.

The latter would add $3 million to the level-service budget to bring back cut library and art programs, decrease class size, bolster writing skills and improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) instruction.

“What we’ve been doing in our district planning is looking at where we’ve been, where we are and where we’d like to be three years from now,” Gilbert-Whitner said at the Wednesday, Jan. 13 School Committee meeting. “Clearly, where we are today we’re seeing that revenue has been stagnant but costs that we have no control over continue to increase.”

The School Committee, Hanson Selectmen, teachers’ union members and several concerned residents heard presentations from state representatives Josh Cutler, D-Duxbury and Geoff Diehl, R-Whitman, as well as state Sen. Mike Brady, D-Brockton, on how the state calculates aid such as Chapter 70 funds to the district are calculated and affect the budget.

They also touched on the budget impact of unfunded state and federal mandates.

“I don’t think any of us here are comfortable with the lack of full funding for education,” Diehl said. “But the ground beneath us is moving constantly. The Foundation Funding Formula known as Chapter 70 is under review and at the same time we are trying to navigate changes caused by the adoption of Common Core.”

Gov. Charlie Baker’s budget will be delivered to the House at the end of the month on the heels of a second year in which state revenues have failed to meet expenditures, Diehl noted.

There is, for example, only $1.25 billion in the state’s stabilization fund, “a historic low which is below the national average” and affects the state’s credit rating, Diehl added. State borrowing is also nearing its allowed limit.

“All these elements provide a background of uncertainty about the future, but we’re tackling those challenges each and every day to turn it around,” he said.

Most of the discussion was devoted to an effort to explain the Foundation Funding Formula and how it might be changing.

Foundation formula

Currently, the formula includes district enrollment — including demographics, grade level and special education, English proficiency or vocational program involvement as well as income data — factoring in 14 enrollment and 11 program areas. Communities are assigned minimum local contributions to the school budget as well as an “extra local contribution,” or target share. Falling short of the target share can affect the amount of Chapter 70 funds a district receives. Local contributions are based on property values and aggregate resident income.

Hanson’s contribution of $1,322,998 is currently 7.66 percent below target share and Whitman, at $1,170,654 is 4.82 percent short. The district has invited Department of Elementary and Secondary Education representative Melissa King to an upcoming meeting to further explain the Foundation Funding Formula.

“We’re about 1 or 2 percent over the foundation budget, while towns around us were meeting that state pupil average, or getting closer to it, are well above their minimum budget,” said Whitman resident Chris George. “That either comes from state aid — which we know they’re not getting — or it comes from the taxpayers.”

A member of W-H Support Our Schools, he said the choices were to go after other town departments or choose to raise the revenue base.

“It’s time to pay the piper,” George said. “We benefitted for years, we shouldn’t be putting it on the backs of our kids.”

W-H receives the third-highest state reimbursement of the state’s regional schools, but is 29th of 87 regional districts in per-pupil spending — 10th from the bottom in per-pupil expenditures among all state public school districts.

“Whitman and Hanson are both residential communities with very little commercial infrastructure, but we’re weighted the same as a Braintree that has South Shore Plaza,” said School Committee member Fred Small. “We’re weighted the same as Brockton that is a city that has malls and many businesses and a lot of commercial enterprises.”

He said state funds fall short of what the district needs and puts the burden on the back of the taxpayer.

“The one-size-fits-all formula is what’s discouraging,” School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes. “It makes W-H look like they get a lot because [we’re] third in regional schools, but there are other parts of this budget that it fails in. … You can’t just pick a number and say, ‘That’s enough.’”

Hanson Interim Town Administrator Richard LaCamera said the problem has been ongoing for a number of years.

“To funding provided for the W-H Regional School District is  [near] the bottom of the state,” he said. “To think this coming year that we’re going to get a significant increase in state aid, I think, is unlikely.”

All Hanson’s town budgets have been level-funded for fiscal 2017 with only about $650,000 left to spend for all departments, including school assessments.

“It’s going to be very difficult,” he said.

“We’re very aware that W-H gets a significant percentage of its budget from the state,” Gilbert-Whitner said. “We’re also realistic in knowing that’s not going to increase at a level that’s going to solve our problems.”

Her major concern, however, was that regionalization was approved by voters because of the promised state funding as an incentive for it.

“Something was done to W-H at the state level that hasn’t been fixed,” she said. “The towns, I believe, believe in education, but they have revenue issues that have to be addressed.”

Cutler noted that he, Diehl and Brady have all worked in municipal government and understand the challenges and frustrations.

“There’s two issues here,” he said. “One is the size of the budget and how much you get from the state year to year. … The size of the pie we have control over … how the pie gets divvied up is all done by formula.”

Each year, Chapter 70 aid is increased by $25 per pupil for the 201 districts where local contributions do not permit an overall increase in Chapter 70 aid.

Small asked the legislators to work toward increasing that to at least $50 per pupil, but $100 to $200 would really be needed to come closer to closing the gap.

Under-funded
mandate

Diehl also indicated the state has also backed off full transportation reimbursement — now at 66 percent of the WHRSD $1.2 million transportation cost for students living 1.5 miles from school — as a way to force districts to “put skin in the game” and prevent some districts’ practice of billing unworkable bus schedules to the state. He argued 66 percent is still too low and noted the local legislators are working to try and get the reimbursement increased.

Hayes also pointed out that regional schools are not permitted to charge for, or opt out of busing students.

A federal mandate to provide transportation for homeless students from shelter facilities to their “origin district,” was initially unfunded and is still underfunded, Diehl argued.

Whitman looking to grants

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Whitman looking to grants: Funds could back dog park, trail improvements

WHITMAN — Grants are enabling the town to save money on energy costs and may help plan for a dog park and continue improvements to walking paths in Whitman Park.

Selectmen supported an application to the Stanton Foundation, an organization that helps finance dog parks through grants and which has expressed interest in assisting Whitman. Grants would cover 100 percent of design costs and 90 percent of construction costs.

“We would have to come up with a committee to review where we want it, make sure that it’s on town land and provide water and a maintenance plan,” said Assistant Town Administrator Gregory Enos.

Officials in West Bridgewater and Holbrook are also pursuing the non-competitive Stanton grants for dog parks.

The grants range from $100,000 to $250,000. Town Administrator Frank Lynam said his talks with foundation officials indicated Whitman could receive $120,000 and the town would have to fund $12,000.

Whitman officials are currently looking at the parcel between Memorial Field and the DPW facility of Essex Street as the location.

“We’re looking for a way to move dogs out of the park and off of the streets to an area where it would be more natural to take them,” Lynam said. “We will have an article on this year’s Town Meeting for it.”

Patrons would be assuming any risk in using the park, as would be outlined by signs at the entrance.

“We will be insured in the event a claim is filed against the town,” Lynam said. “It’s really not very different from recreational use [of town property].”

Funds received from a Green Communities Grant in the amount of $166,215 are planned for interior sand exterior lighting changes at municipal buildings and switching to variable speed motors at the town pumping station. The lights in Town Hall Auditorium —priced at $4,200 to replace 85 light bulbs — have been postponed for now. Future grants through the Green Communities program will likely focus on mechanicals and HVAC controls.

“Right now this gives us more bang for our buck,” Enos said of this year’s plan. “It will save the town $50,000 a year on energy costs alone.”

A $50,000 Trail Program Grant is being applied for in an effort to continue funding Whitman Park walking paths, Enos said. Selectmen voted to support the application due in February and sign a support letter.

The grant provides 80-percent funding for such projects and requires a 20-percent match of funds or in-kind gifts. Enos estimated the grant, if obtained at the end of a nine-month application review period, could finance another 2,000 feet of curbing and path work at the park in spring 2017.

Friends of Whitman Park and DPW may be approached for funds or in-kind services.

In other business, Selectmen agreed to a two-week extension for David Federico, the owner of Diesel Trucks, 575 Bedford St., to complete the cleanup of the premises ordered by the board on Jan. 5. The extension was recommended by Building Inspector Robert Curran.

“There’s been some changes, but not nearly enough as far as I’m concerned,” Curran said. Still, he suggested an extension until Feb. 9. “I will attend whatever meetings on-site that he needs for me to guide him on what I think is best for the town.”

Federico has reduced the number of vehicles from 65 down to between 48 and 50, and has created a handicapped parking space, but more issues — such as a car parked in the loading area — remain.

“I did see some effort there,” said Selectman Dan Salvucci. “But if you look at his lot and the lot next to it, it was night and day. One lot looked like it was open for business and the other one looked like it was there for salvage.”

Salvucci said he supported an extension, but would advocate further action if Curran was not satisfied by Feb. 9.

The board also voted to adopt the one-day suspension of O’Toole’s Pub’s All-Alcohol License as recommended by the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. The board had initially sought a five-day suspension last year after infractions at the pub were reported by Whitman Police. Selectmen selected Saturday, March 19 as the suspension date to give the pub owners time to inform patrons of the date it will not be open.

Selectmen also offered “friendly advice” to the Police Department to determine the suspension is heeded.