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The School Committee and Select Board meet Wednesday night at Clarksburg School.

Clarksburg Struggling With Budget Hike, Low Reserves

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The town could be looking at a Proposition 2 1/2 override if it can't get its more than $5 million budget down.
 
The town's total budget is up $178,776, up 3 percent over this year's $4,912,293 spending plan based on a level-funded school budget.
 
But the school's $3 million draft budget is up 8 1/2 percent, or about $236,000, largely because of an out-of-district placement expected to cost between $175,000 and $200,000.
 
"We're not your enemies, we're your friends but we have to be honest with you — we don't have any money," Town Administrator Carl McKinney told a joint meeting of the Select Board and School Committee on Wednesday.
 
"If we tackle these challenges together we are much more likely to succeed as a community."
 
Superintendent John Franzoni and Principal Sandra Cote said they'd already sliced thousands from the school budget.
 
McKinney had laid out three scenarios for the Select Board at its meeting immediately prior: the certification of two years of free cash that would alleviate the town's difficulties, a Prop 2 1/2 override to increase the town's levy capacity, or the potential of a budget rejection that would put the town into monthly spending plan based on this year's budget.
 
Select Board Chair Jeffrey Levanos is leery of a Prop 2 1/2, saying a "solid one-third" of the town's residents are older and on fixed incomes.
 
"We're just as frustrated as you as to how to resolve this problem," said Levanos. "Because 8 1/2 percent is a big percentage increase for a town that has very little money."
 
Officials are putting their hopes into getting free cash certified before the annual town meeting, even if the May meeting has to be pushed into June. The town's financial team has been struggling for several years because of turnover. A new treasurer was hired about a month ago and McKinney said the town accountant, as well as a past accountant and treasurer, are working with her to get the financial reconciliation done. 
 
The last time the town's free cash rolled over several years, Clarksburg got $600,000 to replenish its accounts. Free cash is unexpended funds but the state Department of Revenue has to certify the amounts are correct before they can be used or transferred to other accounts. 
 
McKinney said the town's stabilization account is at $190,000; if it's all used toward the budget, the school would have to come in level-funded plus $40,000, or $2,822,762.
 
So far the school's eliminated $15,000 in psychological services, $4,000 out of food supplies, $1,600 in principal supplies, as well as cutting field trips, teachers' assistants, a school adjustment counselor by a half day and the student support center. Cote said she and the dean of students would be picking up the student support work.
 
"The key point is this budget, where it stands now, if we took the [special placement] out we'd be at about 1 percent," said Franzoni. "If you're saying we have to come in level, that means there's some serious cutting we'd have to do." 
 
The superintendent and Director of Pupil Services Tara Barnes said they had been advocating for an alternative they thought would better serve the child but there was a team involved and a different outcome. Barnes said the state will pickup 75 percent of the cost above $49,400, but it takes a year to get the reimbursement.
 
The town's draft operating budget is up 6 percent, or $107,901, at $1,924,386, with the main drivers of the increase being retirement funds, insurance, contractual obligations and nearly $12,000 for assessment consulting services. The McCann Technical School budget has increased by $70,000, at $383,921. There are six more students projected to attend this coming year. 
 
Select Board Chair Jeffrey Levanos said the town's already nixed the idea of a fourth Department of Public Works employee. 
 
"We're all on board for the school but we don't have the money," he said. "We need you to work with us."
 
Franzoni said the school budget includes projected teacher contract increases (they are still in negotiations) and $300,000 in school choice funds.
 
"We're trying to explore all different grants and funding opportunities that can help us with this budget issue," Franzoni said. "We're just trying to figure out how do we maintain our staffing, how do we maintain a high level of education that Clarksburg has been known for but also stay within the budget."
 
Business Director Lisa Blackmer noted the school district has used $1 million or more in school choice funds over the last four years. But it's been spending out more than it's been taking in by about $25,000 to $50,000.
 
The two boards agreed to continue talks and meet jointly again with hopes that free cash — the potential solution to this year's budget woes — will be closer to resolution. McKinney urged the parents, teachers and officials to write to legislators to tell them how small towns and rural schools are struggling. 

Tags: clarksburg_budget,   fiscal 2024,   

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McCann and Taconic Awarded CTI Grants

Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region. 
 
In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.
 
"We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician," McCann Superintendent James Brosnan said. "This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires."
 
In Pittsfield Taconic High School was awarded $180,610 to provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad's Auto Group, and RW's Auto Inc.
 
"Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County," said Superintendent Joseph Curtis. "We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy."
 
The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways. 
 
"Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration," said Governor Maura Healey. "CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We're proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state."  
 
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