Politics & Government
Town-Sponsored 'Audit' of the Schools Recommends Increased Funding
School superintendent says the outside review validates how North Kingstown implements the Basic Education Program – and, he reports that this year's possible school budget deficit has turned into a surplus
Only three of the seven members of the North Kingstown School Committee turned up for the scheduled April 10 meeting at North Kingstown High School. Chair Kimberly Page announced that Larry Ceresi and Lynda Avanzato were dealing with medical issues, Bill Mudge was out of town and Melvoid Benson was absent.
Lacking a quorum, Page cancelled the meeting and convened a "conversation." The attending members – Page, Richard Welch, John Boscardin and Jamestown representative Julia Held – reviewed the agenda without taking votes and asked questions of the assembled staff for two hours.
School Superintendent Phil Auger reported on several issues.
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He said that he learned April 9 that Town Manager Mike Embury has received an independent review of school finances by Nadeau Wadovick LLP. The town commissioned the in December after the school committee reported that a budget deficit might be looming.
Auger said that he wished the report had been available for the of the town council and school committee because it might have answered many questions from the citizens who attended.
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He said that while the auditor pointed out several things the schools could be doing better, the overall report was a "tremendous validation" of how the schools are operating.
The report recommended more than $2 million in increased education spending in 13 or 14 categories, Auger said. It also recommended approval of the bond issue that voters OK'd April 3.
Town Manager Michael Embury said on Wednesday that copies of the audit report are not publicly available because they have not been distributed yet to all members of the town council. He said the report would be scanned and posted on the town website Friday. Auger said he will post the report on the school website.
Regarding the potential budget deficit, Auger said several factors have helped eliminate a shortfall. In March Superior Court Judge Brian Stern said the town it had originally appropriated.
Auger said the school department also was notified that it would not have to cover a $60,000 tuition bill and that it will receive about $20,000 from the dissolution of the .
In addition to previously announced cuts, Auger said, the school staff combed through unspent funds and reduced purchases or postponed them until the next fiscal year.
The net result, Auger said, is that instead of a deficit, the schools currently have a surplus of more than $300,000 that will replenish the reserve account, which was tapped earlier in the year.
Page reviewed several proposed changes to school policies, including one for a possible member code of conduct for school board members. She said she has consulted "Robert's Rules of Order" for techniques to keep meetings on track when committee members speak out of turn and refuse to follow time limits.
Assistant Superintendent Michele Hymbyrd said that school students and staff members must agree to codes of conduct, and the school board could set a good example by doing the same. But school attorney Mary Ann Carroll said that as elected officials, school committee members are not bound by anything but the will of voters.
Page said the action items on the April 10 agenda, including the terms of a contract to , will carry over to the April 24 meeting.
