The committee grappled with the timing and methodology of reviewing user fees. A suggestion was made to align the fee review with the budget process by moving it to the fall. This would entail deciding whether to evaluate fees annually or on a multi-year cycle. Specific adjustments were considered necessary for programs like BEEP, which is transitioning to a full-day format. Alongside these deliberations, the committee discussed a recommended 3% increase in material fees and detailed the Food Services program’s financial aspects, including state funding and reimbursement processes.

The BEEP program’s transition to a full-day model was a focal point, prompting concerns about affordability due to proposed tuition fees. To address these concerns, a proposal was made to reduce the initial suggested tuition from $17,500 to $14,000. Additionally, the reinstatement of the BEEP extended day program at the Lynch Center for ten families was discussed, providing context for the tuition fees by comparing them to other programs.

The committee members inquired into the history of BEEP and its impact on students, seeking clarity on financial aid and the tuition-setting process. There was debate on whether the revolving fund could subsidize scholarships, as opinions varied. The cost of running BEEP, the effects of enrollment changes, and the funding for the lease at O Shalom were also discussed, revealing the intricate financial and operational web of the program.

A concern was the enrollment challenges in South Brookline, particularly affecting Beacon and Lynch schools. The committee expressed a commitment to fully funding and filling BEEP seats, believing that a longer school day would be beneficial. In this light, the proposed 3% increase in material fees was deliberated, with members reflecting on previous discussions with staff regarding the fee structure. The need to reassess the summer school program’s fees was highlighted due to its historical deficit.

Further discussions included the impermissibility of visual arts and career and technical education fees under the law, with plans to eliminate these fees in future budgets. Facility fees and their revenue estimates were also addressed, acknowledging the necessity for close monitoring due to new fee structures. The committee took note of the absence of South Brookline bus service costs and the need for accurate cost and ridership data.

As the meeting concluded earlier than anticipated, the committee invited attendees to submit comments, either in person or via email, with the assurance that the next meeting would present a revised version of the discussed topics.