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Date: 2/14/2023
PALMER — The Pathfinder School Committee unanimously approved the draft preliminary budget for fiscal year 2024 (FY24) during its Feb. 8 meeting.
At the start of the meeting, Business Manager Gregory Falcone shared that right now, the School Committee is voting to have a 4.91 percent increase in the current draft budget. Typically, he said it has been around 3 percent, with last year being 3.89 percent.
Falcone provided an overview of the budget line items at this point.
He shared that the teacher’s line has increased by $153,294 — a 3 percent increase from last year.
The amount of money being used for substitutes is around $36,000, however, he noted that there no longer seems to be a problem with finding substitutes.
Superintendent Eric Duda explained that an additional social worker/adjustment counselor will be added this year.
For bussing, Falcone said there is a $101,000 increase. The reason for the drastic increase is because of fuel escalation, he explained. He estimated that for this contract for the upcoming year, each bus per day will cost around $438. Falcone noted that other schools are experiencing the same jump in costs.
After nearly two years of vacancy, the athletic trainer position will be filled.
Regarding the hockey co-op with Amherst, Falcone said the cost is $1,400 per student and there are about seven or eight students who participate.
Duda said they are looking at a potential cost increase for the school resource officer as they expect upcoming changes.
Falcone shared that electricity has increased by $16,000. Currently, they pay .083 cents per kilowatt an hour which is a “good rate,” despite electricity costs skyrocketing.
“With the current environment that we’re in this year, it’s just a brutal year,” Falcone said. In comparison to other towns, he said 4.91 percent is a good number.
He noted that capital is not included in the draft because the school does not have Gov. Maura Healey’s budget numbers yet, as this is a new administration. He predicted to have everything by March 1.
A motion was made to approve the drafted budget, although changes are predicted. The School Committee unanimously approved the draft budget as presented.
Superintendent’s report
Duda shared that in December 2022, the Ware Select Board voted to recommend an appointment of Richard Fly to fill the open Ware seat on the Pathfinder School Committee. Members unanimously approved Fly’s appointment.
Duda went on to discuss a Math Acceleration Academics Grant that was received in the amount of $24,400. He noted that it essentially provides extra help for students during February and April vacation.