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School committee approves bills, declares surplus tables and accepts Finance & Law recommendations
Summary
The committee accepted the Finance & Law subcommittee report, declared surplus cafeteria tables, approved Bills Payable for FY25 ($42,883.03) and FY26 ($716,363.39), and recorded a request for clarification on a $5,000 communications expense in the procurement card update.
The Taunton School Committee on Sept. 17 voted to accept the Finance & Law subcommittee’s recommendations, declared cafeteria tables surplus, and approved routine bills payable for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
Dr. DeMelo convened the Finance & Law subcommittee and Mrs. Moynihan reviewed Use of Facilities requests, including a fee waiver for “Lines and Spaces.” During a procurement card update, Dr. DeMelo asked about a $5,000 communications services expense; Mrs. Moynihan said she would check and report back with a detailed explanation. The subcommittee also presented a surplus materials memo listing 21 cafeteria tables at Martin School and 30 at Friedman School, valued at $75 each; staff had reached out to other districts and to Our Lady of Lourdes about reuse but found the tables too large for most elementary settings.
The subcommittee recommended, and the full committee approved, the Bills Payable for FY25 in the amount of $42,883.03 and for FY26 in the amount of $716,363.39 after clarifying items including contracted nursing services, instructional software, ParentSquare licensing, evacuation chairs, occupational therapy supplies, cabling and classroom tables. The committee also moved to receive and place on file the Staffing Report, the Taunton Public Schools Staffing Update (which Mr. Cabral said showed the district is 98% staffed with seven vacancies remaining), and the READS Collaborative Quarterly Report.
Why it matters: These routine financial actions authorize payment for district obligations, free up district resources for operations, and reflect ongoing fiscal oversight. Dr. DeMelo’s request for clarification on the $5,000 communications line will require follow up from Mrs. Moynihan.
Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): • Motion to receive and place on file Staffing Report, Staffing Update, and READS Quarterly Report — moved by Mr. Loura, seconded by Mrs. Chaves; committee accepted the motion (transcript records unanimous approval; exact tallies not specified). • Motion to declare surplus cafeteria tables (Martin and Friedman) and dispose per TPS policy — moved by Mr. Vieira, seconded by Mrs. Chaves; committee approved (exact tally not specified). • Motion to approve Bills Payable FY25 ($42,883.03) — moved by Mr. Vieira, seconded by Mrs. Chaves; approved (exact tally not specified). • Motion to approve Bills Payable FY26 ($716,363.39) — moved by Mr. Vieira, seconded by Mrs. Chaves; approved (exact tally not specified).
Next steps: Mrs. Moynihan will follow up with Dr. DeMelo to explain the $5,000 communications services charge; the district will pursue disposal or redistribution of surplus tables per policy.
