|
(A hard copy of this report is also available at the Joshua Hyde Public Library)
This page has been used to provide updates and information to the general public regarding reports, minutes and any data generated by the Tantasqua Study Committee. This Committee was formed by Article 41 of the 2004 Town Meeting to review and make recommendations regarding the benefits of Sturbridge remaining a member of the Tantasqua Regional School District vs. withdrawing from the District.
The following is the Committee's membership as per the Town Meeting vote:
James Malloy, Town Administrator (Chair)
Charles Blanchard, Selectmen
Ronald Levine, School Committee (Chair, Tantasqua Regional School Committee)
Robert Williams, Finance Committee
Susan Haslam, Resident
The Committee's report is much more detailed, but the following summarizes the issues, concerns and findings of the Committee:
1.That any changes to the regional district have to ensure that Sturbridge students would receive an equal or better education experience. The Committee concluded that it is possible for a Sturbridge-only School System to provide an equal or better education.
2. That Sturbridge has to work with the other communities to develop an alternative that is as much a win-win situation as possible for all five towns.
3. For Sturbridge to withdraw from the district, the Committee determined that it will cost more for capital expenses.
4. For Sturbridge to withdraw from the district, the Committee determined that it will cost less for operating expenses. The net savings (including the additional capital expense) to the town comparing estimates under the current system vs. withdrawing from the district are estimated by the Committee to be $12,251,347 over the 20-year period covered by the Committee's study.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The Committee recommends that the Town Meeting vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to negotiate the actual terms of a withdrawal and to report back to the Annual Town Meeting in 2006 with a recommended final action. In order to accomplish this task, the Committee is also recommending that $50,000 be appropriated from the Town’s reserves to ensure the final recommendation has the benefit of both legal and independent financial consulting as necessary. The considerations in this recommendation include:
1. This report and the recommendations of the Tantasqua Study Committee used scenarios that are hypothetical in order to determine the estimated costs and whether there were feasible alternatives. Any actual terms for withdrawal would need to be negotiated with the other member communities and Tantasqua in order for the actual terms and costs of a proposal to come before Town Meeting. There is no other way to develop an actual proposal, but to authorize the Selectmen to negotiate.
2. That the Selectmen will need additional, specific legal advice.
3. That the Selectmen will need financial consultation to review the calculations contained in this report in greater detail, to develop financial impacts on the region and to ensure that any financial calculations in a final recommendation to Town Meeting are as accurate as possible.
Recommended Motion for Town Meeting:
That the Sturbridge Board of Selectmen be authorized to negotiate the actual terms of withdrawing from the Tantasqua and Union 61 Regional School District with the Tantasqua Regional School District Committee, Union 61 Committee, Towns of Brimfield, Brookfield, Holland and Wales. Further, that the Town transfer and appropriate from free cash the sum of FIFTY THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($50,000.00) to the Board of Selectmen’s Purchase of Services Account #11222-52000. That the Board of Selectmen report back to the Annual Town Meeting on April 24, 2006 with a final proposal, with the actual terms of withdrawing from the Tantasqua and Union 61 Regional School District.
Reports:
The final Report of the Tantasqua Study Committee which will be voted on at the Annual Town Meeting (Article 7) can be reviewed by clicking here
For the first preliminary report on the cost review, please click here
For the second preliminary report on the financial review, please click here
Minutes
To see the 9-29-04 Tantasqua Study Committee minutes, please click here
To see the 10-26-04 Tantasqua Study Committee minutes, please click here
To see the 11-30-04 Tantasqua Study Committee minutes, please click here
To see the 12-22-04 Tantasqua Study Committee minutes, please click here
To see the 1-26-05 Tantasqua Study Committee minutes, please click here
To see the 2-9-05 Tantasqua Study Committee minutes, please click here
To see the 2-23-05 Tantasqua Study Committee minutes, please click here
To see the 3-8-05 Tantasqua Study Committee minutes, please click here
To see the draft 3-23-05 Tantasqua Study Committee minutes, please click here
The Committee's has scheduled a meeting on 3-30-05 to discuss the report with the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Burgess School Committee, Sturbridge members of the Tantasqua School Committee, the Superintendent and the Business Manager of Tantasqua. The meeting will be at 7:00 PM in the Veteran's Memorial Hall at the Sturbridge Town Hall, 308 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA.
| 
