During a recent school committee meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding a budget error amounting to $800,000 that was not accounted for in the current fiscal plan. Committee member Richard expressed frustration over the lack of adjustments made to the budget, particularly in light of a reported $250,000 surplus in the health insurance account. He questioned why this surplus was not reflected in the assessments sent to the towns, especially given the financial strain faced by Lakeville.

Rich highlighted that the health insurance costs had decreased from an anticipated 10% to 4.3%, indicating potential savings that could have alleviated budget pressures. He urged the committee to consider recertifying the assessments to the towns, proposing a reduction of $500,000 to better support local finances.

The discussion also touched on the use of Excess and Deficiency (E&D) funds, which currently stand at $1.7 million, the second highest surplus recorded. Rich questioned why capital expenditures were not funded from these reserves in the previous year, suggesting that such decisions should have been revisited during the current budget discussions.

Amanda Cook, a resident of Lakeville, commended the committee for their handling of sensitive issues and expressed gratitude for the efforts of local finance committees in addressing budget discrepancies. She emphasized the need for a more collaborative approach moving forward, urging all parties to set a positive example for the community.

Deborah Petty, the town administrator of Freetown, echoed concerns about the budget, reiterating the importance of addressing the $800,000 error and the implications of the unadjusted health insurance figures. She noted that despite previous budget challenges, the committee had managed to find additional funding for various initiatives, raising questions about current financial management practices.

The committee plans to revisit these budgetary issues in their next meeting, as members seek to clarify the financial situation and explore potential solutions to support the towns effectively.