Jeffrey J. Marsden, Superintendent
459 Main St., Unit 3,
Medfield, MA 02052
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net
Medfield Superintendent Jeffrey Marsden Presents Revised, Reduced Budget to School Committee
Medfield School Committee Unanimously Approves FY20 School Budget
MEDFIELD — Superintendent Jeffrey Marsden is pleased to report that he presented a revised, lower FY20 budget proposal to the Medfield School Committee at its meeting Monday night, with the committee voting unanimously to present the reduced budget to residents at Medfield Town Meeting later this month.
Superintendent Marsden’s revision to the budget included a reduction of the proposed budget increase from 4.54% to 3.99%. The reduction will help the town to bring a balanced budget to residents at Town Meeting on April 29 and avoid the need for an override.
“I am very happy that the school committee has accepted our newly proposed budget for FY20 and we are confident that we are presenting a sound, balanced school budget for Medfield residents to consider at Town Meeting,” Superintendent Marsden said. “We are always looking for ways to keep our budget as low as possible, while still being able to provide an exceptional education and learning environment for our students.”
The revised budget now comes in at $36,471,424, a 3.99% increase from the FY19 budget of $35,070,766.
The reductions in the revised proposal, which total $190,030, included freezing the FY19 on March 25 and using the $85,000 in savings toward the special education tuition rates in the FY20 budget, and taking out a $30,000 increase to the technology budget. There were also individual retirement and leave of absence personnel matters that were resolved that further reduced the district’s spending.
The largest factors driving the FY20 budget include:
- Instructional/Personnel Costs
- Transportation Costs
- Special Education
- Professional Development
- Increased Enrollment
The overall increase to the FY20 budget would help to maintain most current staffing levels and programs district-wide. The budget would also allow the district to fund increases in teacher salaries and compensation and all other collective bargaining agreements, fund increases to student transportation costs and fund increases in professional development initiatives.
A new kindergarten teacher would be added to address increased enrollment and multiple part-time positions would be added to the special education department, including a teacher, transitional coordinator and psychologist.
“Like all school districts in the state, we are burdened with significant cost increases year-over-year, some of which are mandated and out of our control,” Superintendent Marsden said. “I am thankful to the school committee for their full support of this new budget and I believe it will allow us to improve upon the high standards that the Medfield Public School district holds itself to.”
Medfield School Committee Chair Anna Mae O’ Shea Brooke added, “The goal at the beginning of this process was to put a school budget forward to residents that meets the needs of all students and staff for the next fiscal year and beyond. I believe this budget has met that goal and hopefully residents agree at Town Meeting in a few weeks.”
To view Superintendent Marsden’s January budget presentation click here. (Note: This presentation includes the previous figures with a 4.54% budget increase)
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