News/FAQ from Committee 21: Budget Override

With Wellesley voters likely to be asked to approve a budget override this spring, Committee 21 is addressing a number of Frequently Asked Questions in the coming weeks, starting with some of the basics about town government.

This week’s FAQ: What is the “Gap List”?

If budgets exceed revenues, the Town may determine that an override (See “What is an Override?”) is necessary.  A “Gap List” consists of those budget items that will be cut should the override fail to be approved by the voters.  This year, the Gap List consists of, among other items, school library assistants, professional staffing to class sections, which will result in larger class sizes, and technology programming.  For more information on the Gap List, see FY15 School Gap List . 

What are “Level Services”?

"Level Services” are those services that the department currently provides.  A budget request for level services reflects the increased cost of providing those services without adding any additional items.  For example, in Wellesley, an increase in the student population has led to an increase in the cost of providing “Level Services.”   

WPS Budget Process: Important Dates and Info

WPS Budget Process: Important Dates and Info

On Tuesday, Wellesley Public Schools superintendent David Lussier presented what is known as the “gap list” - the approximately $3.3 million in cuts to the fiscal year 2015 proposed budget that will occur if Wellesley voters and Town Meeting do not approve a budget override this spring.

About 60 percent of the cuts, or $1.99 million, would be to existing staff and services. The remainder is for new initiatives such as additional staffing to support increased enrollment at the high school, needed math/literacy specialists at the elementary school, full day kindergarten and other elements of Dr. Lussier’s long-term strategic plan.

Parents who wish to share their opinions on the proposed school budget and override have several opportunities:

• School Committee Meeting, Tuesday February 11 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall: The School Committee will vote on whether to approve the "gap list” and send it forward in the budget process. There will be an opportunity to speak before and after the meeting. Can’t attend? You may email school_committee@wellesley.k12.ma.us.
• Advisory Committee Hearing, Wednesday February 12th at 7 p.m. in the Juliani Room, Town Hall: The Advisory Committee, which provides financial oversight and plays a critical role in the budget process, will provide a recommendation on each town department budget. There will be a Citizens Speak at 7 p.m. Parents also may provide feedback toadvisorycommittee@wellesleyma.gov.

Parents also may express their opinions to the Board of Selectmen (sel@wellelseyma.gov) Please note that letters sent to these email addresses become part of the public record.

Questions? Contact Becca Cahaly (rebeccatellalian.com), Mate Converse (mconverse@converse.net) or Eunice Groark (egroark@yahoo.com) Sprague School Committee 21 representatives. For more information, visit the Committee 21 website or read this week’s C21 newsletter here.