Winchester Could See an Additional $158K from the State

Winchester could see an increase in funds from the state.

, Winchester could see an increase in Chapter 70 assistance from the state this year, due to increased enrollment. The increase will result in $158,303 more than expected.

"We won't knwo the state budget until it's approved," McAlduff said. "But my understand is that we can see an increase in our Chapter 70 money."

With the failure of the , the School Committee announced that they will have to lose 3.5 positions next year. However, McAlduff said that the school department will not need to. Instead, that reduction should be reached by natural attrition and retirement.

But that potential $158K the school department could receive will not go into the school budget, instead the town will get it.

"Because the town supports the schools beyond the minimum requirements, the committee doesn't ask for the money," McAlduff said. "The School Committee agreed on a three percent budget increase for next year and that's what we're sticking with."

According to McAlduff, that money can be appropriated at the Fall Town Meeting. But Acting Town Manager Mary Ellen Lannon said that Town Management would most likely recommend the money be used to lowering the town's use of free cash.

"We're intent on reducing free cash," Lannon said. "Moody's Bond Rating is concerned with the high amount of free cash municipalities are using. We're looking to be fiscally conservative and ween us off of free cash. The concern is as we build more schools we're going to need more bonds."

Honoring a Student

The Winchester School Committee congratulated Winchester High School student on raising enough money to buy 17 defibrillators for the Athletic Department.

A representative from Cardiac Science, the maker of the automated external defibrillators (AEDs), was on hand to deliver some of the units. School Committee members remarked on the importance of the AEDs, noting the many cardiac incidents among student athletes mentioned in the news recently. The School Committee congratulated Keane on her initiative and hard work, and officially accepted the gift of the AEDs.

Receival of Grants

Two representatives from the presented the organization’s grants for the 2011-2012 school year, which totaled $114,480. Among the grant proposals accepted were Teachers as Scholars, providing funds for professional development for teachers; Authorfest; a sign language program for preschoolers; and additional funding for wireless access.

Another highlighted grant program, called Art Link Plus, will connect Winchester classrooms with classrooms in other parts of the world for the purpose of sharing art work cross-culturally, culminating in a year-end video teleconference.