Minutes
Finance Commission · from the Town's website · 3 pages · 125 KB
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Finance Commission Minutes Thursday May 14, 2026 6 pm Winthrop Public Library / Hazlett Room Meeting called to order @ 6pm by Chair Matt Gorkowicz ROLL CALL: Present: Karin Chavis KC, Kim Dimes KD, Paul Reardon PR, Matt Gorkowicz MG, Christian Buonopane CB, Joe Hanlon JH, Michael Gillespie ML, Bill Gault WG, Jim Letterie JL Absent: Shannon Poulos, Max Tassinari Not on Zoom, Recorded by WCAT Motion by KD to accept minutes of 5/7/2026, second by CB Yes vote / KC, KD, PR, MG, CB, ML Abstain / JH Chair introduces Lisa Howard LH, Superintendent of Winthrop Public Schools / School Department; Also present is Dylan Cook DC, CFO/School Business manager LH Discusses her office, functions what everyone does, they work with principals of each building/school to create a strategic budget and roadmap for the year as well as long term goals LH notes budget will go live on 7/1 - been negotiating 4 contracts: Teachers, ESPs, Nurses, Secretaries; reached tentative agreement Budget highlights: 1. Central Office Budget: works to design with actuals to reflect real spend / forecast 2. Gorman Fort Banks Budget: a. Some repairs need to be done at playground, preemptive 3. Winthrop Middle School Budget: a. DC: Biggest increase also to custodians, merged as WHS/WMS share purchasing of supplies by custodian, also matching decreases b. JH asks about decrease in teacher budget for WMS, LH explains there is an open position for next year c. JL asks about salary increases, they are steps, not COLAs. MG 4. Winthrop High School Budget: a. Custodial budget increases are just a result of accounting recording practices to reflect WMS and WHS combined purchasing BC notes nursing supply increases, science consumables match actual levels -> also result of prepayments running out Much bigger as WHS contains 4 grades, teacher levels relatively similar to others 5. Cummings School Budget: a. b. Most expensive school for utilities by far DC notes they are working to repair valves/actuators + bldg management system that will lower utility bills JL, KC, LH point out that ATC is historically higher in term of operational costs attributable to more usage than other schools especially in summer DC and LH explain that it can be difficult to perform repairs given weather / usage of buildings, repairs themselves very laborious LH reminds that certain expenses going from 0 to a value were prepaid, or result of a curriculum not being utilized/paid for KC points out that ATC’s electricity cost is higher than WMS/WHS combined, attributable to solar credits, usage, also notes that GFB has a 1 to 1 nurse 6. District Wide Budget: a. Covers people / providers that work with all 4 (at least >1) school within WPS i. Ex: Drivers, speech pathologist - LHnotes that special needs supply line item has increased due to needs and grants (providing insufficient coverage), also notes increase in special education legal fees/services - Also discusses cost of homeless bus transportation, more intricate than it seems. Notes that when WPS has to contract out bus drivers due to staffing issues costs can be higher - Requested 1.9 instead of 2.5 for tuition, anticipating leftover circuit breaker money to offset - LH notes curriculum director/asst superintendent salary went down due to departure, Brian Curley serving in interim, may assume role permanently in which WMS would need a new principal - DC notes that field maintenance has increased due to wear and tear along with computer maintenance that is not covered / no longer will be covered by grants - Discuss Miller Field costs, renting/custodian pay, upkeep to maintain integrity of field/equipment General discussion continues about chromebook replacements, internet service, - Discuss contingency line item, as well as Town manager vs requested budget - If Town Manager budget (less) is chosen, LH indicates that cuts may be made in certain line items such as supplies - Supt. Howard reminds that the contract agreement between the teacher’s association and school committee is tentative and was recently settled - Will be meeting with Supt. Howard again on 5/28 Meeting adjourned unanimously Minutes by: Christian Buonopane