Information below was obtain by viewing the MU School Committee Meeting of July 24
There is positive news for the Mendon Upton School District. The final FY14 State Budget has been signed into the law by Gov. Patrick. The final numbers came in a little different to the benefit of MURSD. Chapter 70 funding came in at $25 per student which will increase the districts revenue from the current certified budget by about 60k. There was also an increase in regional transportation and MURSD anticipates to be reimbursed at approximately 65% representing about 127k in revenue.
In addition to the budget adjustments mentioned the district received positive news on fees paid for students who attend Charter Schools. There will be fewer students leaving the district in FY13-14 to attend Charter Schools saving the district approximately 51k.
However through the districts budget process the figures used for each towns minimum contribution (which was based on numbers used by the house and the senate) was off from what the state finalized for both communities. Mendon’s was the most dramatically changed with the minimum contribution reduced by approximately 168k.
The district faces a shift with Mendon’s minimum contribution decreasing to 56.36 percent and Upton being 43.64 percent. The district has to keep the percentage of contributions in check with the previous year October 1 enrollments. The school committee discussed their options and voted on returning approximately 53k to the Town of Mendon and keeping Upton’s contribution the same.
The bottom line is MURSD will end up 180k above the certified budget.
At the next school committee meeting there will be discussions on how the 180k will be managed. The district is looking at approximately 5 million dollars over the next ten years in operational needs (kitchen equipment, parking lot repairs, roofs, etc.) and there was some discussion the funds may be used to address those needs.
UPTON DAILY 