Quabbin committee votes to clarify school committee stipends after members raise disclosure concerns

The Quabbin Regional School District School Committee addressed questions Dec. 11 about the disclosure and timing of annual school committee stipends and approved a clarifying motion to record previously budgeted stipends.

Committee members raised concerns that stipend payments had not been clearly itemized in recent reports or on town floors, prompting calls for transparency. One member said the way the stipend had been disclosed "really, really disappointed" them and said the handling influenced personal decisions about running for office; that comment was raised as part of a broader set of complaints about communication and audit documentation.

To resolve the issue, a committee member proposed language to clarify the prior budgeted item and to record the stipend amounts: "motion to approve yearly stipends in the amount of $7,500 to be split equally amongst the 15 school committee members with the chair receiving an additional $100 for a total of $7,600." The motion was seconded, and the committee conducted a roll call vote. Members voting on the record indicated 'yes' and the motion passed by roll call.

Committee members and staff discussed administrative options to ensure future transparency, including listing individual stipend amounts in the annual report or in the regional agreement, and maintaining minutes/recordings for audit backup. The superintendent and business manager explained that the item had been budgeted previously and that the vote clarified its presentation going forward.

The committee adopted the clarification by roll call and adjourned the meeting. District staff will record the vote in meeting minutes and ensure stipend disclosure meets audit expectations.