Arlington School Committee
Budget Subcommittee
November 13, 2007
3:00 PM
Members present:
Sean Garballey, Chair
Sue Sheffler
Members absent:
Joe Curran
Also present:
Nate Levenson, Superintendent
Richard Fanning, Finance Committee
Edward Bouquillon, Minuteman Superintendent
The meeting was called to order at 3:20 PM.
1.) Approval of Minutes- October 29, 2007
On a motion by Ms. Sheffler, seconded by Mr. Garballey, it was VOTED to approve the minutes of October, 29, 2007. 2-0.
2.) Conversation with Minuteman’s Superintendent Dr. Edward Bouquillon
In an effort to improve communication between the Arlington Public Schools and Minuteman Regional High School the Budget Subcommittee wanted to meet with Minuteman’s new Superintendent, Dr. Edward Bouquillon. This conversation was held in an effort to form a collaborative working relationship between the new Superintendent of Minuteman and the Arlington Public Schools. Before meeting with the Budget Subcommittee the Minuteman Superintendent has met with Nate Levenson a few times and he has met with the Finance Committee. Mr. Bouquillon informed the subcommittee that he is spending much of his time in the school districts that make up Minuteman. Some of the goals that he has put into place as an incoming Superintendent include creating better communication between
Minuteman and its member districts, building trust, and he wants to collaborate with the Arlington Public School’s over budget issues. He wants to make sure that there is a transparent budget process, where the Arlington Public Schools are a part of the discussion.
Members of the Budget Subcommittee addressed their concerns to Mr. Bouquillon about the Arlington Public Schools part in the Minuteman budget; the Superintendent from Minuteman understood Arlington’s concern. What will be different from last year’s budget process to this year’s budget process? This question was directed towards the Superintendent of Minuteman and he stated that he would be in Arlington more frequently, he would work hard to engage more people in the process, he is currently working towards developing a five year programmatic budget process, and he believes that Minuteman’s staffing is inefficient. He also stated that Minuteman’s enrollment is down 3% from last year.
The Superintendent of Minuteman also educated members of the Budget Subcommittee on different aspects of Minuteman Regional High School. The Superintendent stated to the Budget Subcommittee that there were around seven hundred students enrolled in Minuteman as of October 1st, 2007. The enrollment number is composed of 60% from member’s districts and 40% from non-member districts. It is the goal of the Minuteman Superintendent to conduct a business process audit and try to discover where efficiencies can be captured. It is his goal that Minuteman work towards becoming more fiscally efficient.
The Minuteman Superintendent stated that the Minuteman School Committee will vote on the Minuteman budget in January. Mr. Bouquillon will send a proposed budget to the Arlington School Committee. The Budget Subcommittee articulated to the Superintendent of Minuteman that for trust to be rebuilt between Minuteman and the Arlington Public Schools their will have to be more clarity over enrollment numbers and other information about Minuteman Regional High School.
The Minuteman Superintendent made it clear that Minuteman exists to serve its members districts and he hopes to work collaboratively with the Arlington Public Schools during his tenure as Minuteman’s Superintendent.
On a motion by Ms. Sheffler, seconded by Mr. Garballey, it was VOTED to adjourn at 4:25 PM. 2-0.
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