With two-thirds of the school year still remaining, the Edgecomb School Committee will likely encounter over-expenditures in a couple cost centers.  Superintendent Bob Kahler told committee members Nov. 27 most cost centers are within predicted ranges, but bus repair and maintenance, and facilities maintenance, are trending toward being over-budget. “We will monitor and pull from elsewhere as necessary for repairs and maintenance,” Kahler said.

For facilities maintenance, Kahler reported salaries will be over-expended by $30,000, and electricity will likely be between $15,000 to $20,000 over expended. Repairs and Maintenance has already expended 75% of its budget. “We are monitoring this closely,” he said. “Necessary repairs and maintenance will be performed, but nothing extra. We will reassess the situation this spring.”

Chairman Heather Sinclair asked whether the committee had budgeted “too close to the bone.” Kahler replied that may be part of the problem, but the committee should look at other areas in the future. “I think we should look at how we budget tuition dollars. We should also try to build more cushion into our budget,” he said.

In other action, Kahler updated members on the search for a new finance director and payroll specialist. He reported job descriptions are being written for both positions. The alternative organizational structure (AOS) is forming an interview committee to meet with prospective candidates. So far, the committee consists of Kahler, Administrative Assistant Evelyn Andrews and bookkeeper Beth Smith. Kahler wants to fill other slots with other AOS administrators and school committee members.

Sinclair recommended AOS 98 Board Chairman Kelly James of Georgetown as a member. Edgecomb members will discuss choosing their representative at a future meeting. The current finance team’s contract runs until Jan. 31. Kahler reported Royer, formerly known as Berry, Talbot and Royer, will send out the 2023 tax forms.

AOS officials want their new finance team to focus on financial matters. “A business manager is involved with HR (human resources), we don’t want that at least not now,” Kahler said. “We want the finance director and payroll assistant to focus only on finance. Maybe in the future, roles may change.”

During the transition, the finance team will mirror Royer’s payroll work in preparation for their first payroll in February, Kahler said. He added, the AOS needs to find space for the new finance team. He said the central office does not have room for two more employees. 

Edgecomb Eddy and other AOS 98 schools received a Freedom of Information Act request. Kahler told Edgecomb School Committee members OpenTheBooks.org made the request. It is a project of American Transparency, a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan charitable organization. On the OpenTheBooks.com website, the organization said: “We work hard to capture and post all disclosed spending at every level of government. In 2022, we filed 50,000 FOIA requests and captured 25 million public employee pension and salary records. We won’t stop until we capture every dime taxed and spent by our government.”

The school committee meets next at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18 in the cafeteria.