'Cloud Of Uncertainty' Hangs Over Melrose Public Schools

MELROSE, MA — The uncertainty over just how large a bite the coronavirus crisis will take out of the economy cast a pall over Tuesday night's School Committee budget discussions.

The School Committee conceded it will have to delay voting on the FY21 budget until at least May. A vote was initially expected as early as Tuesday — but that was before a global pandemic threw any planning efforts into the blender.

"I think it's important to acknowledge the tremendous cloud of uncertainty under which we all are operating," School Committee member Jen McAndrew said. "At this point we do not know precisely how the COVID-19 crisis will affect funding for our schools next year, but we know there will be impacts and they are likely to be significant and challenging."

The problem is both painfully complicated and exceedingly simple: No one has any sense of how much money the district can expect from city and state funds. State revenues have been decimated as the coronavirus tightens its grip on the economy, and local revenues haven't been far behind after mass closures and restrictions on social activity.

McAndrew called the revenue projections "grim." Mayor Paul Brodeur said even those paint a rosier picture than what the reality could be.

Brodeur and Superintendent Cyndy Taymore cited moral and ethical reasons for keeping on everyone in the current budget — even having drivers who usually transport children deliver lunches and packages — but Taymore has already told staff to look where they can cut back.

"I entered this [budget] season thinking we have got it nailed, thanks to the override, thanks to a robust economy," Taymore said. "Unfortunately none of us saw this national and international crisis coming. And at the end of the day we have a lot of decisions to make."

McAndrew echoed the troublesome projection.

"The truth is there's much we don't know," she said. "As much as it pains us all to say this, there will be changes to come in what we have considered so far and they are likely to be difficult."

Superintendent contract settled

The School Committee voted unanimously to approve a three-year contract with Julie Kukenberger, who will succeed Taymore this summer. The starting salary will be $183,000 per year, effective July 1.

Taymore announced in November she will be retiring, effective June 30.

Also in the School Committee meeting:

• Taymore said the tentative plan is still for kids to come back to class this school year. "We are hoping with diminished enthusiasm that we will return May 4."
• Patricia White-Lambright spoke about the budgeting process for special education, saying special education students make up about 15 percent of the district's population (compared to about 18 percent statewide.) The discussion, like all of the budgetary talks, will be heavily impacted by the breadth of the coronavirus impact.
• Likewise for the Franklin School's summer program.

Melrose coronavirus coverage

• Melrose Wants You To Wear A Mask. How To Get, Donate One
• Melrose DPW Worker 'Somewhat Stable,' Fundraiser Nets $23K
• Melrose Resumes Making Cases Public
• Melrose Mayor Talks Coronavirus Response
• How To Support Melrose Businesses During Closures
• Where (And When) To Buy Coffee In Melrose During Coronavirus
• Stranglehold On Melrose Restaurants Has Only Just Begun
• From A Distance, Lipper-Garabedian Joins Mass. House
• MelroseWakefield Hospital Has A Plan, If Need Be