The Whitman-Hanson Regional School District Transparency Project

From: "Beth Stafford <beth.stafford@whrsd.org>" <beth.stafford@whrsd.org> To: Jeffrey; George Bcc: jeffrey.szymaniak@whrsd.org Date: 2024-05-29 15:02 Subject: Fwd: Regional School Stabilization Account - Hanson Attachments: Hanson 2024 Certified Free Cash.pdf Hanson 2024 Reg Sch Stabilization Fund.pdf image001.png image.png ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Dawn Byers <dawn.byers@whrsd.org> Date: Wed, May 29, 2024 at 1:22 PM Subject: Regional School Stabilization Account - Hanson To: Lisa Green <lgreen@hanson-ma.gov> CC: Laura Fitzgerald-Kemmett <lkemmett@hanson-ma.gov>, <ksullivan@hanson-ma.gov>, Beth Stafford <beth.stafford@whrsd.org>, Hillary Kniffen <hillary.kniffen@whrsd.org> Hello Ms. Green, Thank you for the information regarding the "debt assessment" of $224,277 found on line 59 of the 5/6/24 annual town meeting:, with a funding source is listed as "Free Cash". Below is a screen shot from page 36 of the 2022 Hanson annual report: with an explanation of the existing Regional School Capital Stabilization Fund. Attached to this email is a copy of the Dept of Revenue report certifying the 2024 "Special Stabilization" account balance at $210,460. My professional background is in financial accounting. I analyze data and numbers for my job so it's in my nature to seek solutions and be a problem solver. With the incredibly tight budget situation, I am wondering if the Hanson Fin Comm and Select Board have considered utilizing the available $210,460 funds in the Special/Regional School Stabilization account as a partial funding source for the $224,277 HMS HVAC ban, which was funded at town meeting by free cash? This stabilization account appears to be a valid source to fund a capital improvement such as HVAC and in turn it would "free up" some additional free cash funds. Also attached is the 2024 DOR certified free cash report showing $2,267,948 balance for the Town of Hanson. The 5/6/24 town meeting approved free cash funding of $794,000 for the following: $140,000 Police capital outlay $177,820 Snow & Ice $251,903 High School Debt $224,277 HMS HVAC Debt This leaves a remaining free cash balance of $1,473,948. However, I've heard reports that the current free cash balance is roughly $600,000. Would you be able to point me to the Town Meeting funding lines where the delta is roughly $873,000. was utilized/spent? Thank you, Dawn Byers