Thursday, January 10, 2013
Massachusetts looking for $1.04 million in unfunded mandates for new teaching positions.The money will have to come from the towns.,
The Mansfield School Committee discussed the budget on Tuesday, and the $1,048,265 in mandated teaching positions the state has passed down. Superintendent of Schools Brenda Hodges said that these mandates are unfunded, and will have to be picked up by the district. “The state mandates dictate staffing needs,” she said. “The state has given us a number of new mandates, and those mandates associated with the way state is saying [it is] going to evaluate [the district].” These mandates won't have to be implemented immediately, but Hodges said each has its deadline. One of these mandates includes providing students with disabilities with accommodations and support structures. These mandates are staff driven, and Hodges said that the state is …
Friday, December 28, 2012
Mansfield selectmen debate the necessity of unfunded mandates.
The Mansfield Board of Selectmen continued to debate on unfunded mandates last Wednesday in response to the hanging fiscal cliff and Gov. Deval Patrick’s responsive cuts. Selectman Kevin Moran said that it is a problem that is continuing to spiral more and more out of the local governments’ ability to handle it. “We’re managing a budget problem not solving it,” said Moran. “Since I’ve joined the board, the unrestricted aide has dropped 32 percent. The state is continuing to give us unfunded mandates. The truth of the matter is when there’s a one party state, constituents don’t really make politicians uncomfortable. You have to let them know that this can’t continue.” Moran added that the Massachusetts economy in general is not doing so …
Friday, December 14, 2012
Mansfield town manager rallies against cuts in state and federal aid without cuts in unfunded mandates.
With Gov. Deval Patrick’s recent announcement of budget cuts if the fiscal cliff falls and the consequences of the country going over the fiscal cliff looming over municipal governments like Mansfield, the town’s budget problems could get even worse. “Most economists say that if [Democrats and Republicans] don’t get past this fiscal cliff will result in a second recession,” Mansfield town manager William Ross said. Ross said that the cuts wouldn’t be that bad, [Gov. Patrick’s plan would’ve only taken $18,000] but he said it become more and more difficult to keep services on both the town and school side with increased in unfunded mandates. “The revenue streams and assistance are being cut and reduced and the mandates continue to flow,” …
