Legal opinion on grants:
Rushton: think it's probably right. Open communication. Hoping that it continues.
Mayor O'Brien comments on the difficult times and pulling together.
Lukes: process the city has gone through at the federal level, prior to the grant even being conveyed.Hoping that this process had to be followed in all prior years. "only became an emotional one when we increased our request from 1% to 3%"
Manager: "yes"
Lukes:"did the School department have notice of this process then?"
Manager: "yes"
Lukes: amount of money, rather the process. Asks that the legal opinion that School Committee requested be forwarded to the Council as well.
Tracy, has anyone mentioned that the approved indirect cost for grants has decreased? In the past, even though the city only took 1%, the state approved restricted indirect rate was 3.6%. However, in 2010, the state came out with a new rate of 2.65% (restricted rate). These funds are allowed to be placed into a grant without question. Is the battle still over who requests these dollars the SC or City? Hopefully my successor has continued to rebut the tasks the city says it provides for the district. The one that had me almost over the edge was the statement that the city-side WRITES the school department grants. Brian Allen practically had t walk me in off the edge of DAB on that one! Keep up the fight. During my last year there, Dr. Boone (who was Supt-elect and not officially n place but attending budget meetings) told me to stay quiet as the city-side was suffering. Hopefully, she has changed her tune on this.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea that the School Department already pays for 60% of the administrative staff through Schedule 19, but also gets to pay more through this assessment. Charging twice for the same services.
ReplyDelete