The Lead-Up
Watch The March 9th CPS Budget Presentation
Skip to 1:13:37 to watch the 2024 CPS Budget presentation by SC Chair Alexa Anderson and Dr. Hunter to the FinCom on March 9th. Note that the FinCom decided NOT to vote on their recommendation at this meeting and punted to the March 15th meeting (where they voted against the 4.7% increase).
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Public comment on the CPS Budget:
1) 1:34:40: Select board member Terri Ackerman asks why the CPS budget is going up more than the high school and Dr. Hunter explains that is because of evolving student needs.
2) 1:37:07: FinCom member Christine Reynolds asks why mental health needs of students are addressed by the schools and not private insurance. Dr. Hunters describes the acute needs of young kids and the legal obligation of the schools to offer support and that 25% of kids self-report considering self harm.
3) 1:42:29: Resident and CCGS member Wilson Kerr comments on the CPS Budget and points out the fact that the $34M Town Government increase is 8.67% this year.
4) 1:45:40 SB Chair Matt Johnson speaks about the impact of funding schools on taxpayers and asserts a "dilemma" and cites the specter of seniors leaving Concord. Listen to Dr. Hunters response.
5) 1:50:40 Resident Liz Kroll speaks in defense of educators and compares their breaking point to the impact of higher taxes.
6) 1:52:56: 31 year teacher John Peachy speaks for the educators and librarians in the room that are facing the prospect of losing their jobs, including him.
7) 1:59:58: FinCom member Don Kupka asserts that people should be shielded from the stress of knowing about the potential cuts and says that there are "50 or so families that will have to move out of Concord" due to higher taxes.
8) 2:01:48: Resident Todd Benjamin questions the value of teacher training and Dr. Hunter responds.
9) 2:06:51 SB member Mary Hartman comments on the need for revenue generation for our town, to ease tensions.
10) 2:09:20 Resident Casey Atkins shares her personal story of a child in crisis and the role the schools played.
Watch The March 15 FinCom Meeting
This was a marathon 5 hour meeting and ended with 2 votes on whether the FinCom would vote to recommend affirmative action on the proposed Article 17 for the funding at the 4.7% increase. In the end, the vote was
8/6 recommending only the guideline 3.3% increase, effectively voting against the budget, as requested.
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These notes/observations were made by a CCGS Observer:
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The FinCom got "40-50" letters in unanimous support of the CPS Budget. Chair Peggy Briggs was moved and said that, in 20 years, she had never seen anything like it. The feedback showed the importance of our schools being a determinant factor in why people love Concord/moved here. Peggy mentioned the broad range of addresses and that she too moved here for the schools.
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54 people were online and another 20 were in the room including many educators and teachers. This was a big showing.
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Technical difficulties made it hard for Chair Peggy Briggs (remote) to run the meeting. Vice Chair Parashar Patel ran the meeting. Article 17 was moved to the very end (of a 5 hour meeting).
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In public comment, we heard from educators and parents about the importance of supporting our schools and the relatively modest 4.7% increase, in the context of the 8.67% increase to town government. Watch here.
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They talked through spending $2M on the 250th celebration of Concord, including $600k this year.
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Apparently we are getting $5M+ in ARPA funds. Though none is earmarked towards the schools, or toward lowering taxes.
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About 10 other funding warrant issues were debated over the course of the evening and (except the celebration $$ request) all were approved for affirmative action by majorities.
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Despite all of the feedback and input and facts, over HALF the FinCom is against the requested CPS budget, voting for the guideline 3.3% increase. Some repeated claims about not being able to cut anywhere else and high taxes and some went so far as to assert that the schools “just need to make do” and that, while salaries are mandated, the number of employees are not and therefore (by insinuation) some should be fired to lower the budget.
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Several members did express support for the proposed budget, especially in light of the letters and feedback, but the vast majority of the speaking points were made by those against it.
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A first vote to recommend affirmative action on the proposed CPS budget resulted in a 7-7 tie, meaning nothing was decided.
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Then, after a lot of discussion about the right way to move forward, a new motion was made to recommend affirmative action only at the 3.3% guideline, meaning $600K in cuts would be needed. This passed 8-6 and the meeting ended. So, the FinCom will have to make an amendment at Town Meeting and try to get voters to agree to it. They are likely going to try. They will likely have the support of the Select Board.
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Watch The March 23 FinCom Meeting
Notes takes at 3/23 FinCom Meeting by CCGS Observer:
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Peggy Briggs opens the meeting by positioning the vote on Article 17 (to recommend only the 3.3% guideline) from the confusing end of the 3/15 meeting as a vote to have debate at Town Meeting, rather than a vote for or against the budget recommendation, since she changed her vote. This was quashed.
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They discussed the annual $900K CPS capital improvement ask (Article 18) at length and want to move to a zero base line item plan, versus approving this borrowing. Town CFO Bob explained that doing so will have no impact on 2024 taxes, since we are just starting to pay for last year's 2023 authorization.
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Christine Reynolds spoke about untethering the schools from sustainability targets by the town and how this was unfair. Town should fund.
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Alexa Anderson said the SC will revisit the Capital plan ask at the SC meeting Tuesday 3/28.
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Article 25 was discussed, for the 2025 250th celebration of Concord. The ask is/was for $600K. The 250th Committee voted to PULL THIS warrant article from town meeting, due to the fiscal climate in the town. Alternate funding sources were discussed, including ARPA funds.
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The plan for the 4/30 Town meeting was discussed and the ONLY article the FinCom will present on is Article 17, the CPS budget ask. Parashar Patel will present their stance regarding the 3.3% guideline.
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The long-term fiscal forecast was discussed with the possible need to override prop 2.5 in coming years.
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Servicing debt is expensive and the middle school impact is real.
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The changing character of Concord discussed.
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All schools have been replaced in the last 20 years, so should be stabilizing.
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Growth and revenue generation was discussed and a task force for setting new revenue goals was talked about.
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A deck was presented showing a slight decline in Concord households making $75K or less over the last few years. This was taken as proof that seniors were being driven out, but I was/am not sure AT ALL that this is what the numbers showed. This deck will likely be shown at TM.
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There was a discussion about how to make the FinCom volunteer role less cumbersome and attract more/new.
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