CBRSD prepares for budget process

BECKET – It’s never too early to start preparing the budget.

The finance subcommittee of the Central Berkshire Regional School District (CBRSD) School Committee has prepared budget goals and a tentative schedule for fiscal year 2014.

Finance Subcommittee Chair Billie J. Henderson said the current plan is to have the FY ’14 budget at “level-service” compared to FY ’13.

In addition to the planning, the school committee moved forward in its process to hire a new business administrator to replace Margaret K. Foster, who announced she will be retiring as of Dec. 31.

The committee voted to offer a contract to Joseph M. Scanlon, who is currently the director of finance and operations at Quaboag Regional School District in Warren, Mass.

Superintendent William J. Cameron and members of the school committee agreed Mr. Scanlon’s experience in another regional school district well prepares him for the job as business administrator.

“I think we need someone with experience in the regional systems,” School Committee Member Gary C. Stergis said.

“We’d be better served by an administrator with experience in a regional school district,” Dr. Cameron added.

However, School Committee Member John B. Conner did raise concern over the past three years of Mr. Scanlon’s time at Quaboag, saying the district was in “financial trouble.”

“We’ve been fortunate that Marg has been able to float the boat,” Mr. Conner said.

Chivers leaving

School Committee John R. Chivers had his last school committee meeting on Oct. 25, as his term is up and he’s not seeking re-election.

“He has served for four different decades – roughly 20 years,” said School Committee Chairman Shawn A. Armacost. “That’s outstanding service to the community.”

“It’s been a pleasure, and I’m sure he’ll be back,” added School Committee Member Michael J. Hopper.

Arts at Becket-Washington

Prior to the business at the recent school committee meeting, Principal Leslie C. Blake-Davis introduced a presentation titled “The Arts at Becket-Washington School,” which featured a performance by fifth grader Nathan Dos Santos on electric guitar and the song “Home” (originally by Phillip Phillips) performed by the school’s chorus.

“I can’t think of anything better than listening to young children make music,” Dr. Cameron said after the performances.

Posted by Catherine M. Krummey on November 1, 2012. Filed under Education News,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry