Central School lease given thumbs up
Published on March 3rd, 2004
STONEHAM, MA - The rental of the old Central school is moving along a step at a time. While it has been reported that the town of North Reading has expressed interest in the building to house its Batchelder school students during that town's school building project, no lease has yet to be signed.
But on Thursday, the School Committee did approve a motion empowering a member of the School Committee, with School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly, to execute a lease with North Reading.
With all lease conditions agreed upon, and with approval of both Stoneham's and North Reading's Town Counsels, Connelly stated that a lease is expected to be finalized shortly and lease revenue for a two year contract with North Reading is expected to total $237,500, with $125,000 for the first year, and $137,500 for the second.
The last condition to be agreed upon was that Stoneham would grant some latitude in the ending date of the contract if it happens that the construction of the Batchelder School is ahead of schedule. Specifically, a 30 day notice is expected from North Reading after January of 2006 if the North Reading school begins moving out of the Central building.
The contract also requires that North Reading assume all operating costs to the Central School building, including maintenance, utilities, and snow plowing.
2004-2005 Budget
The School Committee approved a revised draft one budget for next year. The revision indicates changes between line items with no change to the bottom line. The revised draft one total remains at $22,992,155.
Connelly has maintained that this figure is a bare bones figure with no room to cut further without harming critical areas. In fact, for the past few years, subsequent revisions to the draft one budget have been in response to increased need for more funding. This year is no different and just this week, town department heads received word from Town Administrator Dave Berry that health insurance is going up. The school and town sides will each have to factor in an additional $103,000 to their budgets.
The town continues to grapple with finalizing a fiscal 2005 budget deficit projection and how it is going to address it. The Board of Selectmen is expected to make a decision about a proposition 2 1/2 override this week.
In the meantime, the School Committee has decided to look to May Town Meeting to fund $227,000 in major capital projects, including phase two of the Middle School roof repair.
Such capital projects in recent years have been funded through warrant articles instead of through the normal operating budget.
"We are very sensitive to the very difficult financial times but this article is driven by the town's building inspector's concerns for existing conditions of our two older schools," Connelly said.
Replacement of a problematic electrical panel at the high school has been on the back burner for some time, and while it is not a code violation, he said that the building inspector has recommended it be replaced. Replacement of a hot water heater at the Middle School will ultimately save the system money by operating more efficiently.
Warrant articles such as this are typically brought to fall Town Meeting, however, Connelly pointed out that if money for the projects is appropriated in the spring, the work can be done while school is out of session during the summer months, avoiding disruption to students.
Scholarships
The School Committee gratefully accepted two scholarships at its last meeting.
Robin Hood PTO has offered a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving senior who intends to head for college this September. This scholarship is made in honor of former Robin Hood School Principal Maureen Soley who is currently enjoying her first year of retirement.
The deserving senior will have attended Robin Hood School for a minimum of three years, be in high academic standing, and demonstrate good citizenship skills. The PTO has also suggested that consideration be given to students in financial need.
The second scholarship has been offered by the Appian Club of Stoneham, a nonprofit cultural organization. This $500 award has been made available to a deserving college bound senior with a financial need.
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