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School committee approves $1.22 million budget transfers and new summer school fee schedule; EV revolving account talks continue
Summary
The Randolph School Committee approved budget transfers totaling $1,222,411.20 and adopted a summer‑school fee schedule (early‑bird discount) to cover summer offerings after ESSER funds expired; committee members discussed audits, the town's denial of a separate EV revolving account and outstanding revolving‑account funds.
The Randolph School Committee on Jan. 30 approved budget transfers to balance fiscal 2025 accounts and adopted a summer‑school fee schedule after federal ESSER funds that paid prior summers expired.
The committee voted to approve transfers that the superintendent said were needed to cover salary step increases, longevity and other personnel movement; the final approved transfer amount presented to the full committee was $1,222,411.20. The motion passed with two abstentions (members not named in the voice vote record).
Finance discussions also covered two outside audits the district commissioned: an audit by the Abrams group reviewing finance policies and procedures (with recommendations expected) and a CBIZ audit focused on cash‑handling procedures at town and school operations. The superintendent said she expected both reports to arrive in the coming week.
Committee members raised a dispute over an electric‑vehicle (EV) revolving account at the high school. The district installed EV charging stations under a grant intended to offset high‑school utility costs; the facilities team expected revenue from charging to flow into a school account to pay those utilities. Town finance officials denied a request to open a separate EV revolving account and advised using the building‑use revolving account instead; the superintendent said the town's position is under further review and that the audits may clarify responsibilities.
On summer school, the committee approved a fee schedule intended to cover staffing and program costs now that federal pandemic funds are exhausted. For in‑person courses the district approved a $125 early‑bird fee per course for families who register and pay by May 15 and $150 per course for registrations after May 15; Edgenuity online credit recovery was set at $50 per course ($100 for the common two‑course bundle) with no early‑bird discount; out‑of‑district students were set a higher fee (for example $350 per in‑person class). The committee also included an option for multilingual learners and said the district will seek grants to limit family cost burdens.
The committee voted to approve the summer schedule and fees; the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Separately, the committee heard that music and technology revolving account funds had not been returned to the district since August and that some vendors have become reluctant to work with the district because of delayed payments. Members asked the superintendent to pursue written clarification from the town manager about the status of the revolving accounts and the EV revenues.
The committee also approved a routine motion to accept prior meeting minutes and adjourned its session.
