The Charge of the Task Force

The following are the Mission, Goals and Tasks of the newly formed Task Force to Find Money for the Schools.

August 20, 2007

NEWBURYPORT SCHOOL COMMITTEE TASK FORCE to Research and Analyze Sources of Revenue for the District

Mission, Goals and Tasks

Mission
To provide an objective, comprehensive and transparent examination of the existing and future revenue streams of Newburyport and its Public School System.

Goals

1.Identify possible methods for increasing city revenue (primarily for the schools)

2.Identify and clarify forces impacting the financial status of the City of Newburyport.

3.Provide information in a clear and comprehensive manner suitable for the layperson and with the specificity necessary and appropriate for school and public officials.

4.Establish a strong working relationship among the City’s financial and governing bodies, it's School Committee, and its citizens.

Tasks

1.Identify all existing revenue sources. Identify all entities that impact the dollars allocated to the schools, including but not limited to government agencies, private or non-profit organizations, and individuals from both the private and public sectors.

2.Identify existing channels of private fund raising and the impact of each on school expenditures

3.Local Property Taxes - Present the economic outlook for Newburyport as told by:

i.Reasonably accessible regional economic report
ii.A broad base of City Officials, Local Business Establishments, and the Chamber of Commerce

•Identify a range from pessimistic to more optimistic possibilities for tax revenues, assuming no increase in our tax levy limit.
•Identify plans, either under development or in effect, to enhance business and commercial tax revenue. If possible, conservatively estimate the level of potential supplementary revenues.
•Qualitatively and, to the extent possible, quantitatively analyze the community’s ability to pay additional taxes.

4.Review other city and town methods of funding district public schools and provide a summary of innovative methods in other cities or towns within MA.
5.Review other private funding mechanisms. How is it done? Are there examples out there of sustainable programs funded with private money?

Deliverables and Schedule For Completion

Identify Task Force Members In Progress
Complete by Fri., August 31, 2007

Review the Mission, Goals, and Tasks
Task force members (chairperson at a minimum) to review this document with the finance subcommittee or other school committee representative.
On or before Tues., September 4, 2007

First Presentation
Introduce the Task Force. The group is to describe the outcome of initial planning meetings to determine the methodology to accomplish the mission
Mon., September 17, 2007

Second Presentation (7 weeks later)
Present the preliminary results of Task Force
Mon., November 5, 2007

Third Presentation (6 weeks later)
Present the additional results of Task Force
Mon., December 17, 2007

Final Presentation (4 weeks, excluding 12/24 – 12/31)
Comprehensive presentation of all Tasks along with the conclusions and recommendations.
Tues., January 22, 2008


In all seriosity, good people of the community, this is a welcome development, the membership is, in my opinion well-chosen and well suited for the task, and we are motivated. I like the idea. It reminds me of one I suggested in yearly between 2002-2006, except that in my proposed framework, I saw it as an extension of the work done by the Finance Committee of the School Committee. Well, we didn't have a Finance Committee of the School Committee between 2002-2005.

Nonetheless, I am absolutely delighted that it has been formed, and especially thrilled to have an opportunity to work with Dr. Orlando, Mr. Iannini and Ms. Supple, who have been active, thoughtful and vocal participants in the education dialogue both pre- and post Override. I've already had the pleasure of working with Mr. Wright, Ms. Reffett and Mr. Hennahan in their capacities as elected officials, and would add that Mr. Heenahan is one of the most skilled facilitators I know. Finally, I really look forward to working hard. Hard as in "my butt off."

I think we can beat the benchmarks easily. Piece of cake. Actually, that was a pretty bad use of metaphor; I think our mission is to grow the pie.