1. Preliminary Berlin-Boylston Regional, Berlin Memorial, and Boylston Elementary FY18 Budgets
December 13, 2016
Presented by:
Nadine Ekstrom, Superintendent of Schools
Robert Conry, Director of Finance and Operations

2. Your Investment in Our Schools Provides Great Results
District Technology –
The school system has significantly worked on the infrastructure of technology throughout all of our buildings.
BMS has 1 device for each student
BES has 1 device for each student in grades 4 & 5 (working towards grade 3 for FY18)
Tahanto has 1 device for each student in the middle school (working towards grade 9 for FY18)
Class Sizes
Our elementary schools have been averaging between students per classroom.
At Tahanto, the class sizes:
* middle school average 22-25
*high school average 18
Focus on STEM Education
Our STEM Advisory group has been working with the schools in developing enrichment opportunities, and STEM event evenings.
All middle/high school science and technology, and elementary teachers have worked on alignment of the science and technology standards.
Global Education
All schools have been reviewing global citizenship within their buildings at various levels. For example, some teachers have gone to China, and we have built partnership relations with our sister schools, members of staff have become involved with the civics task force and have attended the civics learning conferences.

3. Strengthening Instructional Supports for all Students
The Principals and the PPS department have worked to strengthen the supports available for all students, thereby reducing the percentage of students requiring special education services. Some of the initiatives we have been able to put in place include:
Daily intervention block for elementary students and tiered support programs for students who start to struggle
Math and ELA Lab classes for students who need a second dose
Intensive curriculum work by all teachers and our Curriculum Coordinator
Co-teaching classes in the Middle and High school
Addition of a BCBA to support behavioral needs
Implementation of a Positive Behavioral Interventions Program to address behavior proactively

4. Investing in Technology
Major Changes Since 2012
Network
Wireless Coverage was about 30% now 100%
Internal Connections were 10 to 100 Mbps and now are capable of 1000 Mbps
Internet Bandwidth was 1.1 Mbps – now a minimum of 50 Mbps
Mobile Devices
<50% of teachers had a mobile device now 100% have a laptop and/or other mobile device
In 2012 student devices were limited to mobile laptop carts (1 per building). In 2016 we have 900 mobile student devices including iPads, Chromebooks and laptops.
Google G Suite (Google Apps for Ed.)
In 2012 we used an older service for teacher/staff only. In 2016 we are now utilizing full suite of apps for collaboration including our students.

5. Professional Development
Over the past few years, professional development opportunities have expanded to include a variety of tools and rich experiences for educators
THEN
Limited professional development opportunities
Course reimbursement
Guest presenters / speakers
NOW
= THEN +
Teacher facilitated workshops
After school technology trainings
Higher education partnerships and instruction
Shared PD seminars with other districts
On-line courses
Professional book studies

6. Student Enrollment Trends

7. Student Enrollment October 1st Enrollments School 2013-2014 2014-2015
(Proposed)
Berlin Memorial
204
186
185
190
Boylston Elementary
316
297
277
264
240
Tahanto Regional
559
562
590
615
607
Out of District 13 11 16 18
Total
1092
1058
1063
1085
1050

8. Budget Process Overview
October/November December January/February/March April May
Principals work with School Councils and staff to determine budget needs based on district and school improvement goals and State Assessment results.
Budget Hearing is proposed at the end of February – beginning of March with vote from the School Committee for Town Meeting
Preliminary Budgets Proposed to Respective School Committees – Preliminary Vote to submit to Towns
Reformed budgets are reviewed with School Committee Members and may or may not be voted on at this time.
Budget continues to be reviewed until Town Meetings. If any voting or changes to budget are necessary; then will occur in April.
Central Office and School Administration submit initial budget requests to Superintendent and Director of Finance and Operations
Approved Preliminary Budgets are submitted to Towns’ Selectmen and Finance Committees
Superintendent, Director of Finance and Operations, and School Committee meet with Selectmen and Finance Committee Members to review preliminary budgets
Town Meeting to approve FY18 budgets will occur the 1st Monday in May.

9. Level Service Budget – School System-Wide (not individual districts)
Budget Approach
Level Service Budget – School System-Wide (not individual districts)
Tahanto – additional staffing to support student needs in the middle school.
BES – reduction of staff
BMS – reduction of staff
Each school will present the current programs and educational results from these investments. We do not plan to reduce any of these programs, but would like to explain the opportunities we are able to provide, given how our towns have supported the schools thus far.

10. FY18 Budget - Challenges
Utilizing school choice funds at current (FY17) levels not sustainable; impact to general fund
Out of district placements (Boylston Elementary)
Health care insurance expenses (Region)
Boylston’s proportional share of Region budget is increasing slightly

11. FY18 Budget: Berlin-Boylston Regional School District

12. Tahanto Regional Middle High School
Tahanto Technology
-iPad, chromebook, and laptop carts with WiFi for individual devices for classes
-3 Computer labs
-Quest Diagnostic software in the high school
-Tahanto has 1 device for each student in the middle school by having chromebooks in core classes (working towards grade 9 for FY18)
Class of 2016
Ranked #1 in MA for ELA and MATH
Ranked #6 in MA for SCIENCE
97% of graduates attended college in the fall; 2% entered the work force; 1% joined the military
Events and Awards
-STEM Career night, the 8th grade career fair, and Science from Scientists for grade 8.
-33 students qualified for the John & Abigail Adams Scholarships
- 4 students commended in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship
Opportunities Outside of the Classroom
-Teacher visit to sister school in Shanghai, China
- Global Citizens club in the Middle and High School
-Service Learning trip to Dominican Republic
- Hawaii Trip to honor 75Th anniversary of Pearl Harbor
- Trips to Cape Cod, Spain, France, and in FY18 China

13. 5 Year Budget Trend

14. Year over Year Changes FY18 Budget of $8,667,667
Increase of $499K / 6.1% above FY17
Key Drivers
$463K increase in Instructional expenses (teacher salaries)
$134K increase in Insurance (primarily health care plans)
($127K) reduction in SPED costs
($85K) tuitions
($42K) transportation
$13K increase in maintenance / operations

15. Year over Year Changes Key Drivers (cont’d)
$463K increase in Instructional expenses
$393K classroom teacher salaries
$233K impact of reduction in use of School Choice funds
Balance is contractual increases, plus lane step/lane changes
$52K (2) FTE’s (SPED paraprof’s)
To support incoming students from elementary schools
$10K in increased short term and long term sub costs
Based on trends in prior years, and increase in pay rate

16. Comparison to FY17 by DESE Function

17. DESE Categories
ADMIN = SCHOOL COMMITTEE, SUPERINTENDENT, BUSINESS OFFICE, ADMIN TECHNOLOGY, LEGAL SERVICES
INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES = ASST SUPER FOR CURRICULUM, SPED/PPS, CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, TEACHERS, PARAS, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, ETC, GUIDANCE, & PSYCHOLOGICAL
OTHER SCHOOL SERVICES = NURSING, FOOD SERVICE, TRANSPORTATION, STUDENT ACTIVITIES, & ATHLETICS
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE = CUSTODIAL SERVICES, UTILITIES, MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
FIXED CHARGES = LEASES, INSURANCES, RETIREMENT ASSESSMENT
TUITIONS = SPED/CHOICE/CHARTER

18. Revenue Sources Beyond the General Fund
School Choice
Circuit Breaker
Preschool
School Lunch
Athletic
School Rental
Grants
FY17 Beginning
$1,165,000
$388,683
$35,697
$87,275
$85,017
$14,333 $0
Anticipated Revenue
$514,387
$432,710
$57,000
$165,000
$100,000
$1,500
$188,000
Anticipated Expense
$783,000
$500,000
$160,000
$80,000
FY17 Proj'd Ending Balance
$896,387
$321,393
$92,275
$105,017
$15,833
FY18 Beginning
$450,000
$465,000
$50,000
$183,738
$550,000
FY18 Proj'd Ending Balance
$796,387
$236,393
$97,275
$125,017
$17,333

19. Berlin-Boylston Regional Budget Comparisons
Overall Increase from FY17-FY18 = 3.07%
General Funds Increase = 6.11%

20. Capital Items No capital requests for FY18
Close-out of Tahanto building project expected in late FY17, early FY18
Long term bond (~15 years) for remaining balance of project (~$4.6M)
Bond interest to be added to FY18 capital assessment (initial estimate of $92K)

21. FY18 Budget: Boylston Elementary School

22. Your Investment in Our School Focus on STEM
Engineering is Elementary (EIE)
The incorporation of EiE to support this work, providing students with hands on exploration of discovery.
MakerSpace
Through parent fundraising and an outside grant, BES has created a “MakerSpace” in the library. This space, designed to foster creative thinking and cooperative work among students, includes both high-tech items like a 3-D printer and various robotics kits, as well as a collection of raw materials for students to use in their own creative activities.
Parent Involvement
The BES PTO has supported school assemblies on robotics and other STEM related fields. Our BES STEM committee has supported student learning by providing insight, connecting scientists with teachers, and creating support “kits” to address specific standards.
Science MCAS results

23. 5 Year Budget Trend

24. Year over Year Changes FY18 Budget of $3,019,470
$225K increase vs. FY17 (+8.1%)
Key Drivers -
$125K increase in teacher salaries and instructional exp’s
$104K due to decrease in use of revolving funds (choice + k-garten)
$18K conversion of reading specialist role to teacher pay scale
($98K) reduction of 3 FTE’s (1 teacher, 2 paraprofessionals)
$12K increase in instructional technology
$10K increase in P/T services
Balance mostly due to contractual increases and step/lane changes
$90K increase in SPED costs
$35K increase in out of district tuitions
$55K increase in SPED transportation costs

25. Comparison to FY17 by DESE Function

26. DESE Categories
ADMIN = SCHOOL COMMITTEE, SUPERINTENDENT, BUSINESS OFFICE, ADMIN TECHNOLOGY, LEGAL SERVICES
INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES = ASST SUPER FOR CURRICULUM, SPED/PPS, CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, TEACHERS, PARAS, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, ETC, GUIDANCE, & PSYCHOLOGICAL
OTHER SCHOOL SERVICES = NURSING, FOOD SERVICE, TRANSPORTATION, STUDENT ACTIVITIES, & ATHLETICS
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE = CUSTODIAL SERVICES, UTILITIES, MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
FIXED CHARGES = LEASES, INSURANCES, RETIREMENT ASSESSMENT
TUITIONS = SPED/CHOICE/CHARTER

27. Revenue Sources Beyond the General Fund
School Choice
Kindergarten
Afterschool Program
Circuit Breaker
School Lunch
Grants
FY17 Beginning
$255,690
$30,736
$87,568
$2,196
$1,780 $0
Anticipated Revenue
$95,000
$115,000
$2,421
$89,500
$120,177
Anticipated Expense
$180,000
$26,704
$113,592
$3,620
$90,000
FY17 Proj'd Ending Balance
$170,690
$4,032
$88,976
$997
$1,280
FY18 Beginning
$85,000
$118,422
$100,000
$120,000
FY18 Proj'd Ending Balance
$155,690
($0)
$83,976
$780

28. Boylston Elementary School Budget Comparisons
Overall Increase from FY17-FY18 = 3.59%
General Funds Increase = 8.05%

29. Boylston Elementary School - Per Pupil Spending
----per pupil expenditure----
Fiscal Year
BES
MA average
FY11
12,243
13,354
FY12
13,409
13,637
FY13
11,644
14,022
FY14
12,583
14,521
FY15
13,226
14,936

30. Boylston Elementary School - Per Pupil Spending
Per Pupil Spending vs. other Assabet Valley districts

31. Boylston Elementary School - Per Pupil Spending
Per Pupil Spending vs. other similar sized districts (< 400 pupils)

32. Boylston Elementary School - Per Pupil Spending
Districts FY15 Per Pupil Spend MA - Statewide Mean ,936 MA - Statewide Median 14,460 Boylston ,226 Boylston gap vs. median (1,233) per pupil # pupils (FY17)
Add’l funding to reach median PPS $328,076

33. TEACHER SALARIES
Misconception that teacher salaries are increasing 2% per year; need to factor in movement in steps and lanes
Weighted avg. increase is less than teacher avg. increases, as teachers on top step do not receive additional step increases at the top of their “lane”; this subgroup is only increasing 2%

34. FY18 Capital Requests $15,000 - Boiler Equipment Replacement
$10,000 - Walk-in Cooler/Freezer Repairs
$10,000 - Phase 1 of 3 of Window Sealing
$10,000 - Repairs to Dishwasher
$15,000 - Flashing Lampposts – School Zone
$60,000 Subtotal

35. FY18 Budget: Berlin Memorial School

36. Your Investment in Berlin Memorial Provides Great Results
Student Academic Growth
Student performance on District and State-wide assessments is one way we evaluate the results of our hard work. The growth in our student performance as compared to other schools across the Commonwealth has increased steadily over the past three years.
Parent-School Partnerships!
Parents are a vital part of the Berlin School community! A recent example is the development this year of , a “Maker Space” was established at Berlin Memorial. This space, designed to foster creative thinking and cooperative work among students, includes both high-tech items like a 3-D printer and various robotics kits, as well as a collection of raw materials for students to use in their own creative activities.
Science Enrichment Programs
We have refocused our enrichment program this year to capitalize on the wealth of science materials available to us. From time in the Maker Space to the use of Engineering is Elementary kits, BMS students at all grade levels are receiving an in-depth exposure to STEM activities. In addition, LINK, Inc, our Parent group, continues to bring in outstanding STEM learning opportunities from groups like the Boston Museum of Science.

37. 5 Year Budget Trend

38. Year over Year Changes FY18 Budget of $2,869,867
$2K increase over FY17
0.1% increase
Key Drivers
$47K increase in instructional expenses (teacher salaries)
($23K) decrease in employee separation costs (retirements)
($21K) decrease in SPED transportation costs

39. Comparison to FY17 by DESE Function

40. DESE Categories
ADMIN = SCHOOL COMMITTEE, SUPERINTENDENT, BUSINESS OFFICE, ADMIN TECHNOLOGY, LEGAL SERVICES
INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES = ASST SUPER FOR CURRICULUM, SPED/PPS, CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, TEACHERS, PARAS, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, ETC, GUIDANCE, & PSYCHOLOGICAL
OTHER SCHOOL SERVICES = NURSING, FOOD SERVICE, TRANSPORTATION, STUDENT ACTIVITIES, & ATHLETICS
OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE = CUSTODIAL SERVICES, UTILITIES, MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
FIXED CHARGES = LEASES, INSURANCES, RETIREMENT ASSESSMENT
TUITIONS = SPED/CHOICE/CHARTER

41. Revenue Sources Beyond the General Fund
School Choice
Circuit Breaker
Afterschool Program
Preschool
School Lunch
Grants
FY17 Beginning
$318,091
$5,368
$13,329
$45,015
$11,327 $0
Anticipated Revenue
$145,000
$6,426
$45,000
$26,900
$47,000
$95,000
Anticipated Expense
$160,000
$4,168
$40,000
$30,000
FY17 Proj’d Ending Balance
$303,091
$7,626
$18,329
$41,915
FY18 Beginning
$90,000
$24,000
$137,500
$30,600
FY18 Proj’d Ending Balance
$255,591
$1,200
$23,329
$35,315

42. Berlin Memorial Elementary Budget Comparisons
Overall Decrease from FY17-FY18 = (0.81%)
General Funds Increase = 0.08%

43. Capital Requests $10,000 - Fire Cistern Tank: Improvements/Monitoring
$10,000 - Walk-in Cooler/Freezer Repairs
$10,000 - Repairs to Dishwasher
$7,500 - Storage equipment
$5,000 - Gym HVAC Access (Design Engineering)
$42,500 Subtotal

44. Thank you for your continuous support for the Berlin, Boylston, and Berlin-Boylston School Districts