Quincy Public Schools projects roughly $1.6 million salary surplus, seeks transfers to cover special-education tuitions and transportation

Quincy Public Schools finance staff reported on the district’s nine‑month budget status during the April 9 Budget & Finance subcommittee meeting, saying the district projects a $1,611,249 surplus on the salary side and a roughly $1,610,726 deficit on expenses that the administration recommends covering by transfers between line items.

“Currently, we’re looking at the overall picture as, you know, surplus on the salary side and expense, and a deficit on the expense side. And that’s why we want to make some transfers,” finance staff member Jim Mullaney told the subcommittee, recommending transfers into the tuition and transportation expense lines.

Why it matters: the shortfall is concentrated in special-education and transportation costs. The district projects a tuition deficit of $1,200,000 after an expected $1,000,000 additional “circuit breaker” reimbursement. Mullaney said the cost for aides (support staff placed in district programs) is projected at a $653,000 deficit but noted those aides are reducing out‑of‑district tuition by keeping students in‑district. Transportation is projected to run a $1,525,000 deficit, in large part because Quincy leased large buses and continues to pay outside vendors for special‑education routes. The administration has hired additional drivers and expects vendor costs to fall in the next fiscal year.

Budget details and drivers: Mullaney provided line‑by‑line estimates: a projected academic classroom teacher surplus of about $1,500,000; academic programs $794,869 surplus; instruction line $267,066 surplus; nonacademic support shows a net deficit of $89,257 with specific deficits reported for custodial ($52,000) and part‑time professional positions (about $287,570). He said textbook reserves are one available source if transfers are needed later.

Special-education tuition increases: committee members pressed staff about rising out‑of‑district tuition rates. Mullaney and others cited sample increases from 2021–2024: Beverly School for the Deaf from about $116,000 to $156,000 (about a 34% increase), the Bi‑County Collaborative from about $130,000 to $185,000 (42% increase), and the Boston Higashi School from about $237,000 to $284,000. Panelists said the Richard DeCristoforo Learning Center (RDLC) has reduced the number of students placed out of district and therefore the overall tuition bill, but the per‑placement cost at receiving schools has risen substantially.

Next steps and authority: Mullaney said the administration is seeking authorization to move funds into the tuition and transportation lines “from the various line items before you.” Subcommittee members agreed this transfer authorization would be acted on by the full school committee at a future meeting; no formal transfer vote occurred at the subcommittee meeting.

What officials said: a school committee member asked whether the tuition line will be increased in next year’s budget; Mullaney said that would be the administration’s recommendation. On transportation, staff said hiring additional 7D drivers and bringing routes back from vendors is expected to deliver “significant savings” in the next budget cycle.

Budget context: Mullaney stressed the district froze discretionary expenses to limit outlays for the remainder of the fiscal year and indicated more detailed budget presentations will follow as the district prepares next year’s budget.

Taper/Looking ahead: the Budget & Finance subcommittee received the financial update and the administration will bring specific transfer requests and a more detailed tuition analysis to upcoming full‑committee budget meetings.