[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6124981,"mediaKeyId","2679052-1d712c67fca1d7cded26f16ce4e6c26a","parentId",2679052,"title","Liaisons review smaller revolving accounts — Educatius, guidance, building rental and transportation — and flag capital opportunities","audioSeconds",886,"startMs",2354000,"endMs",3240000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679052-1d712c67fca1d7cded26f16ce4e6c26a&start=2354&end=3240","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679052-1d712c67fca1d7cded26f16ce4e6c26a/thumbnail_2354000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6124981/Massachusetts/Liaisons-review-smaller-revolving-accounts-Educatius-guidance-building-rental-and-transportation-and-flag-capital-opportunities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124981-78a729b3010395719236fcf0c1a5b1b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770677264&Signature=WXEZaoCWHcIu8FUYIA5KOg7Ql9ShCESotHauoRIobyduKzMl7iVUl8fl89TEd2TrWfMrUE~Ne8F4rQwuK7tEREZew9qBrFfipXwfIPQaV5gQBA7Hl6mJOp2maAxaI6S~PcMol9EbaYxUKtevkYPNBV4EEETLZunWT~Md6vq1CL0k-HgEV2pZv~4P9rEWeo72Eta8pUoTMWxorl3kViqpB1g28W0HQQ6AGFjqEZx9F5zOigm08MkbTn8jzAiGT-vjGx9RS2qCGUuIK4MLE9ehaLEzUq5kKsTW3vt~jk3V4uJZeAoYjvxLbkRnBRKDeXZtNo0RZAxd0iExLdqSsm9XAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marblehead Public Schools, MA","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","The liaison meeting covered a set of smaller revolving accounts — Educatius (foreign‑exchange students), guidance (transcripts and other fees), building rental, and transportation — and discussed whether available balances could fund one‑time capital or maintenance projects.

Staff reported they had not yet received some expected revenue (for example from Educatius or building rental) and will follow up with financial reconciliation. On Educatius, staff said the district hosted a small number of foreign‑exchange students this year and will confirm payments.

Building‑rental revenues typically pay custodial overtime and maintenance tied to rentals; staff noted the town’s Park and Recreation department receives certain rental revenues for Village Field and related parks, which limits the school department’s legal ability to spend those funds on park capital. Committee members suggested that where the school department controls rental revenue, modest capital expenses such as gym floor refinishing, AV upgrades or seat reupholstery could be supported from the account. For guidance, staff described the account as covering transcript fees and related administrative services.

On transportation, staff said they will correct a posting error where athletic bus fees were recorded to a transportation user‑fee account and will reclassify revenues to the appropriate accounts.

Ending: Staff will reconcile missing revenues, list capital proposals that could be funded from respective revolving accounts, and report back with specific cost estimates and any legal or DESE approval requirements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marblehead School Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Committee liaisons examined several smaller revolving accounts and discussed using balances for one‑time capital or maintenance projects; staff will reconcile missing revenues and return with updated figures and capital requests.","taxTitle","Marblehead Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",68732,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6124986,"Committee explores phased approach to end charging for kindergarten, says transparency and timing matter",967,3603000,4570000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679052-1d712c67fca1d7cded26f16ce4e6c26a&start=3603&end=4570","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679052-1d712c67fca1d7cded26f16ce4e6c26a/thumbnail_3603000.jpg","/articles/6124986/Massachusetts/Committee-explores-phased-approach-to-end-charging-for-kindergarten-says-transparency-and-timing-matter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124986-5605afd1791c874d50f1681a9f4f7cbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770677264&Signature=hesWmyaAZac4xealHUglz7k6QdIeptMtHbRtXug~BGM8UBgDhFt9m-DOOTztOXWA~VhLIMXM9aUUdSjRK-zGVMjm-9xhKuxJ7Y46jOD7mcZx0YQe8lO6nxXO9Q2QwG-jRxApTJ5Ac9-9gvbK5AyCXtHzjq21bkYESHb0WuhmpAp2XSSiwYWAupStN~8nQZLv43m1SrvHcnUFxO2RT0dfcKGLdIeIPXIflfAgURUjLokGlRcOFBY18Tj05iam8RHgxJbJXZ3-Xspv4TGIoHhSwCb43OQ6x1hA8fcUPvthPZEmbtVfZW8PmkV2Z0i0BY~ZDfnD7Mdq-eBYMqpP24CJ~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School committee liaisons and finance staff discussed a proposal to reduce and eventually eliminate kindergarten tuition over multiple years rather than in a single budget cycle.

A staff presenter said he had projected “it would cost to run a free full day kindergarten program… between 6 and $700,000 annually” and that the FY26 budget already plans to shift half of two kindergarten teacher positions into the revolving account. Members stressed the need for a transparent, multi‑year plan so the town and voters can prepare for any general‑fund increases or warrant articles. One committee member said Marblehead is one of a small number of districts that still charges for public‑school kindergarten and urged planning to end that practice; another urged coordination with local preschool providers to select a year with lower incoming cohorts so the district does not immediately need to add staff.

Staff noted operational constraints: if the district removed tuition, enrollment could rise and trigger additional staffing needs that would increase costs beyond the initial estimate. The liaisons recommended that administration incorporate the kindergarten‑funding transition into the district’s 3‑ to 5‑year strategic plan and bring proposals to the committee with clear year‑by‑year financial impacts and demographic context.

Ending: Staff will produce a multi‑year proposal and demographic analysis showing how a phased reduction could proceed and the incremental budget steps required to reach free full‑day kindergarten.","Members discussed using revolving funds and multi‑year planning to phase out kindergarten tuition. Staff estimated full‑day free kindergarten would cost roughly $600,000–$700,000 annually and recommended a transparent multi‑year strategy tied to the district’s strategic plan and demographic trends.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6124991,"Finance liaisons urge caution on spending special‑education tuition reserves; suggest phased reductions",423,2673000,3096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679052-1d712c67fca1d7cded26f16ce4e6c26a&start=2673&end=3096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679052-1d712c67fca1d7cded26f16ce4e6c26a/thumbnail_2673000.jpg","/articles/6124991/Massachusetts/Finance-liaisons-urge-caution-on-spending-specialeducation-tuition-reserves-suggest-phased-reductions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124991-876bfdb43b681efabf9cff0d5fdcc43a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770677264&Signature=Kcj75JuNjGa~uX1-3weUeiVFAd5lL1kVvyxqISPxdMJ7FsviQdLklmJ8DOBJkcGhMmxDfXkEP8MB54Ra8HOAxl0o~FhNBpe~kqdfNrA3681TCctpim75kSudgc915iE6SIVJ3eRzQbvMpdlVkVPsY65R90A4pAs8-ZaJ8yIzr7gNlSjRjQqmU0vDQAT5UDiGSadS2zmhHuKElMj2tttfw18BHbaPkFMQYnYUyWylYiiKVbMgMsSnDx9--SfFprag3342w5CvajIWkfC-sS8KsJjSoKJwSAEiVAusgbOjg2gFHuncaN7lv3pysRovNSp2HoLUNitF8bxA43nSMH-EFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Liaison members discussed the district’s special‑education tuition‑in revolving account and the circuit‑breaker reserve, and debated whether the current balances should be spent down to reduce general‑fund requests.

Finance staff described the tuition‑in account as money the district receives for students placed here from other towns; the group noted that the account has carried a sizeable balance and that last year committee members hoped to use more of that balance for one‑time capital or program needs but did not. One member summarized the issue: “We could certainly take it down. Take a hundred thousand that next year out of the budget,” but cautioned that tuition and placements can change quickly.

Committee members repeatedly emphasized the risk of sudden out‑of‑district placements and state funding shortfalls, recalling a prior fiscal crisis caused by lower‑than‑expected circuit‑breaker reimbursements. A liaison said that the circuit‑breaker reserve is intended to protect the district from sudden mandated costs for out‑of‑district placements and recommended keeping a prudent contingency. Several members suggested reducing the tuition‑in balance gradually — for example, lowering it toward a $100,000 floor — rather than spending a large lump sum in a single year.

Ending: Staff agreed to propose a phased plan to use a portion of the tuition‑in balance to offset near‑term general‑fund needs while preserving a circuit‑breaker contingency to protect against sudden mandated special‑education costs.","Committee members reviewed the district’s tuition‑in revolving account and circuit‑breaker reserve, discussed the risk of out‑of‑district placements, and recommended holding a modest reserve while considering phased spending to offset general‑fund pressure.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6124995,"Committee debates athletics/user‑fee balances, family caps and possible uses for surplus",1112,624000,1736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679052-1d712c67fca1d7cded26f16ce4e6c26a&start=624&end=1736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679052-1d712c67fca1d7cded26f16ce4e6c26a/thumbnail_624000.jpg","/articles/6124995/Massachusetts/Committee-debates-athleticsuserfee-balances-family-caps-and-possible-uses-for-surplus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124995-d175e4d5ae1270ac860e621d5e2da547/orig.mp4?Expires=1770677264&Signature=aq17JqcC~dOokbt7v-ma0J9KAY54kB8CDLj8IfZb3aQc38~BEgffLdU2whgV9jImYPDnIIQTQdWzhJcrPo~gFqScd3fRAjoWpy3FdboVxDdk2P6Gov7trjlqD1bl4l4osUgKuGwBgrR4gcvjiwrvc62b2YwD2ZeO8PADLiUZExbirC~ad1usyTCClQZ6F4KXjQuCMFW61vCEpMQyZOL6nl7LxNyQ7Sxpv~uBZ8msnWSZ0ptJ14ha9~37hyqbdylyrOD9Qf~gbKFlItr5KycQMfjK79iVeb9eR609ZyMjqgHulhj-CMOkv23~~1QAKhyNQOjXO7k2u1~Xb9U8mgoRJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Liaison members reviewed the athletic and general user‑fee revolving account balances and considered whether the district should lower user fees after a major increase last year.

A finance staff member explained that the user‑fees account currently includes athletics and multiple program fees that are all pooled into one account; the staff described the standard practice of spending local budget dollars before touching revolving funds and said that this spring’s seasonal costs will largely be paid from the revolving account. Staff listed line items still in the local budget (police salaries, officials, medical/trainer salaries, custodial salaries and drivers) that together total roughly $590,000, with about $426,000 of that excluding two named administrators.

Committee members reminded colleagues that last year the committee raised the family cap substantially — from about $800 to $2,400 — to reduce pressures on the general fund. One member said she does not want to raise user fees again and is preparing a memo to level‑fund user fees for the next budget. Another member suggested that if the account’s balance remains high after a full year under the new fee structure, the committee should consider modest fee reductions or targeted fee relief to improve equity.

Members also discussed specific one‑time uses that could be appropriate if a healthy balance persists. Suggestions included replacing a scoreboard at Village Field (estimated in past presentations at roughly $12,000), purchasing a multi‑function student‑activity vehicle to reduce transportation costs (the presenter suggested roughly $80,000 as a reference), and addressing smaller recurring costs such as ice rental, equipment reconditioning and transportation costs. A staff member said boosters typically cover many large athletic‑related purchases and that some performing‑arts boosters also provide limited support for arts activities.

Ending: Staff and committee liaisons agreed to refine a recommended year‑end buffer for athletics/user‑fees, to separate or reclassify some user‑fee subaccounts for clarity, and to return with projections after spring season revenues and refunds are reconciled.","Members questioned the size and structure of the athletics/user‑fees account after a large family cap increase; staff described what the account currently pays and suggested targets for an operating buffer, while committee members asked about equity and potential one‑time uses such as Village Field scoreboard repairs.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6124998,"Marblehead officials report higher school‑lunch revenues, discuss allowable uses of the fund",0,3508000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679052-1d712c67fca1d7cded26f16ce4e6c26a&start=3508&end=3508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679052-1d712c67fca1d7cded26f16ce4e6c26a/thumbnail_3508000.jpg","/articles/6124998/Massachusetts/Marblehead-officials-report-higher-schoollunch-revenues-discuss-allowable-uses-of-the-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124998-0ef0d990a6cfb04ea99cbd4419f19c8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770677264&Signature=Y5u3WWfW36aEX92F4nz5AD24yGfqA7tk70CzDhX4l020XIoTW0DTyRg-ONh9IhTE6tJt5qVN1E3c3BbRbC2Udu3vE53XP8cZK8D96TZvQIhEDGznmcV4ec1xrPDebmZHr5p6z8W2v6IPe-4P7lVuvMOB1fLxMX5g5g~ga-6DH-Ufc0nEHgqhwM1jwxcaPdyIpyQTnxDA67TGPPscrvMCpWwLpnwHLLGViGyexrfW0F~UeTa7uSGIq28NG8lTbvc2XP1F9VuWtnjDMKTdZDdaxxl1Xqu2XaN7of5b0rRpv3j-q48-mWzM2KklB9Rv5KiyV3pSPAkG-d4fhkjQ8j5Pog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marblehead Public Schools finance staff reported that the school‑lunch revolving account has collected substantially more revenue so far in FY25 than it did in FY24, and the group discussed which costs the state allows the account to cover.

The liaison meeting heard that “school lunch last year, we brought in 961,000 all year on revenues. And this year, we've brought in 1,240,000.00 already partially through the year,” and that expenditures through the same point in FY25 are running below last year’s full‑year total. The presenter noted the school year calendar differences that will extend both revenues and expenditures later into the fiscal year.

The meeting clarified that state rules limit what the school‑lunch revolving account may pay. “So what goes out is set up salaries, for food service, health insurance benefits for food service,” the staff member said, and added that the account pays 100% of employees related to food service, including Medicare and benefits for those staff. Other allowable expenses listed were food and paper products, kitchen maintenance (for example grease‑trap cleaning and annual inspections) and capital upgrades to kitchen equipment subject to DESE approval.

Committee members asked whether the current balance could be used to change the menu toward more scratch‑cooked or healthier options. A committee member said the committee had asked the food‑service director to consider that option given the stronger balance; the staff speaker said the department is exploring menu sharing with other districts but warned that state reimbursement levels could change.

Members noted the statutory guidance that a three‑month operating reserve is an appropriate benchmark for food service but observed that many Massachusetts districts currently hold larger balances due to universal free‑meal reimbursements. The presenters and members agreed to continue monitoring the account and to provide a recommended target year‑end balance at future meetings.

Ending: School finance staff said they will return with more detailed year‑to‑date and end‑of‑year projections and with explanations of any planned capital requests from the fund that must be approved by DESE.","School finance staff told the liaison group that school‑lunch revolving revenues are up sharply this year and explained what expenses the state allows the fund to pay; committee members discussed using some of the surplus for improved meals or one‑time capital items but emphasized statutory limits and prudence.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Liaisons review smaller revolving accounts — Educatius, guidance, building rental and transportation — and flag capital opportunities

Committee explores phased approach to end charging for kindergarten, says transparency and timing matter

Finance liaisons urge caution on spending special‑education tuition reserves; suggest phased reductions

Committee debates athletics/user‑fee balances, family caps and possible uses for surplus

Marblehead officials report higher school‑lunch revenues, discuss allowable uses of the fund