School Committee reports: Another janitor needed, Kelley subs will save time
Published on October 4th, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - The School Department reported its first quarterly year end projection to the School Committee on Thursday night, and, according to Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly, the 2000-01 budget "appears to be in good shape."
Connelly cautioned, however, that projections this early in the year are subject to change. Subsequent budget projections are expected in January, April and June.
According to Connelly, a projected $36,000 deficit could be converted to a surplus of $28,000 if the Finance Board finds funds to offset large special education state-mandated positions at spring Town Meeting.
Heat and utility costs are among those being tracked closely, Connelly said. While most of the system's school buildings have historical data on which cost projections are based, the new South School (an entirely gas-heated building), coupled with rising energy costs, remains a question with regard to utility usage.
Currently, the architect and engineer on the South School project are working on updated projections on the utilities, Connelly said, "to give us an idea of where we'll be."
In other budget related news, the committee voted unanimously to add a third custodial position at South School. The unbudgeted position is expected to cost approximately $18,000 to $20,000.
The recently opened, $10 million building sports 55,000 square feet, 21 bathrooms and two custodians. South School principal Dr. Paula Sline called the custodians' current work day as "very, very fast paced, labor intensive."
The additional cost for the approved third position was termed "unanticipated."
This is a civil service position and will be posted internally before a request for a civil service list is issued.
Representatives from Kelley Services reported on Thursday that Stoneham is the first school district in Massachusetts to sign on with the Woburn company for substitute teaching service.
For a very slight increase in costs, the service is expected to relieve school administrators of approximately two hours a day in hiring and scheduling substitute teachers for all schools in the system.
The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for Oct. 12.
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