Robert Conry

“Mr. Conry stated that Weston & Sampson was selected as the engineering firm to do the feasibility study and then introduced Scott Henrique and Sam Alpert from Weston & Sampson.”

“Mr. Conry stated that the increase was predicated on many things”

“Mr. Conry stated that he believed it was a little over 3%, including steps and lanes”

“Mr. Conry stated that the FY24 budget does not have the safety net of ESSER and ARPA funds.”

“Mr. Conry”

“Mr. Conry shared the two items identified to help with the budget delta, including a $50,000 decrease in special education transportation due to updated guidance from CASE and a $100,000 reduction in the out of district tuition budget, utilizing the circuit breaker reserves. He noted that best practice is to carry over a full one-year balance, but noted that with the extraordinary 14% rate increase in special education tuitions, he felt it made sense to leverage the reserves. Mr. Conry stated that the combination of these two items would reduce the budget by $150,000, which would result in a budget of $45,047,176 or an increase of 4.74% over the FY23 budget.”

“Mr. Conry noted that it might be best practice to have the SC approve transfers in arrears on a quarterly basis.”

“Mr. Conry noted that it might be best practice to have the SC approve transfers in arrears on a quarterly basis.”

“Mr. Conry”

“Mr. Conry stated that the IDEA Grant Funds have been applied to offset special education expenses and all prior year circuit breaker carry over funds to offset special education expenses have been applied as well.”

“Mr. Conry stated that the budget is in a decent place”

“B. Conry shared the FY25 Proposed Budget of $46,602,943 which is an increase of $1,555,767 or 3.45% over the FY24 budget.”

“B. Conry shared slides outlining the FY25 CCRSD Superintendent's Recommended Budget.”

“B. Conry shared slides outlining the FY25 CCRSD Superintendent's Recommended Budget.”

“B. Conry shared slides outlining the FY25 CCRSD Superintendent's Recommended Budget.”

“Mr. Conry reviewed the CPS Capital Plan, noting that a couple of items may come in under budget.”

“Mr. Conry stated that the guideline was 3.3% and the difference between the guideline and the budget requested is @ $ 776,000.”

“Mr. Conry noted that there have not been any changes to the budget since it was presented on December 6th”

“Mr. Conry shared the CCRSD Budget FY24 presentation”

“Mr. Conry stated that there are 2 diesel bus lease assumptions per year in the budget for the CCRSD replacement cycle”

“Mr. Conry stated that he appreciated the bus driver incentive program being approved, noting that many drivers have been interested, with one recently passing the DOT exam. He noted the importance of keeping the incentive program in place, noting that other districts have incentive programs as well.”

“Mr. Conry reviewed the budget process, student enrollment trends, and per pupil expenditure data.”

“Mr. Conry shared the FY24 CPS Budget, reviewing: budget by DESE function (5.08% expenditure increase), key drivers (Teaching & Instructional Support, Other School Services, Maintenance & Operations, Fixed Charges, and Out of District Tuitions), sample in-house program costs compared to outside placement, salaries/non-salary accounts breakout, key drivers in non-salary and salary accounts, FTE summary by school site, and use of ESSER funds.”

“Mr. Conry reviewed the FY24 Capital Plan for CPS, stating that loading dock repairs were added at Thoreau, and noted that $25,000 was allocated for the Thoreau Campus Master Plan. He noted the reserves of $50,000 for FY24 and FY25 for health and safety at Peabody and Sanborn and the Ripley HVAC upgrades of $745,000.”

“Mr. Conry stated that these vehicles are all currently not registered and are off the road, noting that they are not eligible to meet the taking a bus off the road grant requirement. He stated that the buses would be sold to a scrap metal dealer who would determine the value based on the weight. Mr. Conry stated that a portion of the proceeds would go to CCRSD as revenue and a check would be sent to the town for the other portion.”

“Mr. Conry noted 2.52% for CPS and 2.46% for CCRSD”

“Mr. Conry shared the FINCOM Guidelines presentation. He shared the CCRSD Preliminary 5 year projections and funding sources... He then shared the town assessment data”

“Mr. Conry shared the final FY22 numbers for CCRSD, stating that insurance and retirement costs came out less than budgeted, noting that this money was used to offset expenses in other areas (increase electricity usage and HVAC repairs). He stated that the final uncommitted balance is $2,876. He noted that, instead of trying to preserve E&D by maintaining a surplus of $300,000, they were able to spend down the operating budget due to favorable revenues. He stated that the revolving fund balances are healthy and the circuit breaker for special education was able to carry over the maximum allowable balance of $847,380. Regarding FY23, Mr. Conry stated that there are a lot of moving parts, noting that Q2 numbers will provide a more accurate reflection of where the district is.”

“Mr. Conry shared the final FY22 numbers for CCRSD, stating that insurance and retirement costs came out less than budgeted, noting that this money was used to offset expenses in other areas (increase electricity usage and HVAC repairs). He stated that the final uncommitted balance is $2,876. He noted that, instead of trying to preserve E&D by maintaining a surplus of $300,000, they were able to spend down the operating budget due to favorable revenues. He stated that the revolving fund balances are healthy and the circuit breaker for special education was able to carry over the maximum allowable balance of $847,380. Regarding FY23, Mr. Conry stated that there are a lot of moving parts, noting that Q2 numbers will provide a more accurate reflection of where the district is.”

“Mr. Conry reviewed the FY22 close for CPS, noting that the budget was helped by the prepayment of special education tuitions, allowing for savings to be applied to other costs incurred during the year. He stated that the revolving fund balances have healthy balances and noted that circuit breaker fund carryover was about $463,000. He stated that, overall, CPS was in decent shape. Regarding FY23, he stated that CPS is still receiving grant approvals, which would be applied to the General Fund. He stated that there would be more clarity in December. Mr. Conry reviewed the preliminary five-year projections by funding source, noting the small increase in FY24. He then reviewed budget drivers, including contract services in FY24, and FY26 savings by moving into one middle school building.”

“Mr. Conry stated that the district has not heard an answer”

“Mr. Conry reviewed the FY24 budget timeline, noting that the Carlisle dates were currently being firmed up. He stated that the administrators would be working on building the zero based budgets between now and late October, noting that he would be reviewing them with the administrators the first week of November. Mr. Conry reviewed other key dates, noting that initial budgets would be presented to the SC on December 6th, with the public hearing being held on December 13th.”

“Mr. Conry stated that he and Dr. Hunter are recommending an increase to short-term daily substitute pay from $100 per day to $130 per day, noting that there is a widespread issue of locating and attracting substitute teachers. He stated that the district completed the RFP process for electrification of Alcott’s heating and cooling system, noting that five proposals were received and are currently being reviewed. Mr. Conry stated that there is a P-Card that is no longer used since the vendor service did not meet requirements, noting that they are currently reviewing the establishment of a new P-Card with TD Bank. He noted the specific language around the access road borrowing at CCHS in the upcoming action items that is required by bond counsel.”

“Mr. Conry stated that he and Dr. Hunter are recommending an increase to short-term daily substitute pay from $100 per day to $130 per day, noting that there is a widespread issue of locating and attracting substitute teachers. He stated that the district completed the RFP process for electrification of Alcott’s heating and cooling system, noting that five proposals were received and are currently being reviewed. Mr. Conry stated that there is a P-Card that is no longer used since the vendor service did not meet requirements, noting that they are currently reviewing the establishment of a new P-Card with TD Bank. He noted the specific language around the access road borrowing at CCHS in the upcoming action items that is required by bond counsel.”