Group reviews optimistic budget


The students of Hampden and Wilbraham are excelling both academically and athletically. Reminder photo by George Skovera

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor

WILBRAHAM The two main items brought up at the annual Budget Roundtable Group meeting for the Wilbraham-Hampden school district were both positive.

An Optimistic Outlook

A presentation given by school superintendent Paul Gagliarducci utilized a SMARTBoard in one of two in the new media labs in Minnechaug Regional High School's library. The fiscal presentation personified the school district as a medical patient -- and the patient's prognosis is good.

The school district is one of the largest employers of both towns, employing 566 workers, including 296 teachers. As one of the largest employers, the schools also bring in a lot of money. During the last fiscal year, the school earned $11,187,984 through Chapter 70 funding, $23,214,908 through town assessment and $4,604,797 through various other means (transportation, Medicaid and grants). Revenues totaled $39,007,689.

Expenditures, however, have totaled $36,731,934 so far, which is why the budget is currently frozen, according to Gagliarducci. "Overall, I think we're doing really well," he said.

The students of Hampden and Wilbraham are excelling both academically and athletically. The total population is 3,688, pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. According to Donna Scanlon, assistant superintendent, of the 16 MCAS tests students take, Hampden-Wilbraham students scored some of their highest scores ever last year on 12 of them. One hundred of this year's graduating seniors are recipients of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, which awards them four years tuition free at any Massachusetts state college or university. Athletically, the boys' soccer team played a whole season without receiving a yellow or red card a very rare feat, according to Scanlon.

Various maintenance projects are planned to make sure the "patients" remain healthy in the upcoming fiscal year. The Wilbraham schools will have asbestos abatement, energy control upgrades, new security equipment and more, while Hampden schools will see boiler upgrades, energy management, new technology labs and lighting upgrades.

"The Future is Minnechaug"

The other bit of good news shared at the meeting concerned the Massachusetts School Building Association (MSBA) and its possible investment in Minnechaug, either for a massive renovation or for a completely new building. The Statement of Interest was submitted earlier this year and a senior study was conducted. "We've been invited in the door," Gagliarducci said. Of the 83 schools chosen for further review, Minnechaug is one of 49 with the most significant changes needed.

The next steps in the MSBA process include another meeting taking place Dec. 19, the school district responding to future MSBA requests, reviewing project costs and conditions and hosting informational public forums.

"We've accomplished almost everything from Phase I of the project," John Lovejoy, a member of Wilbraham's Financial Planning Committee, said. "We do need to choose a project manager, but not before there is money available."

"The earliest we [the towns of Hampden and Wilbraham] may be able to vote on this is June," Gagliarducci said. "If not, we'll definitely be voting on it sometime in 2008."

Hampden selectman Rick Green asked, "When do we start borrowing money if this project is approved?" Lovejoy responded that they would borrow money as they moved forward, but not all at once. The project could take up to four years to complete.

Wilbraham selectman David Barry queried, "What happens if we don't make [the MSBA's] final list?"

"Once you're 'in the door,' you're pretty much in," Gagliarducci replied. "We somehow really need to make a mistake or show a real lack of commitment to be asked to leave."

Rep. Angelo Puppolo, who attended the meeting as well, said he and Sen. Gale Candaras are working together to bring money to the high school from Boston.