Brian presented information on current enrollment and applications for next year.  We are enrolled at 361.  Budget was for 390.  We have 118 applications for next year.  Last year at this time we had 134 applications.  Our goal is 283 (highest lottery in last 8 years) but we believe we may end with closer to 200 - 220 by February 1.  We have extended the deadline to March 1, which we hope will get us closer to our 283 goal.  We have sent 10,000 postcards with 3,000 more to come.  We have been working on bettering our website ratings.  We are running a basketball clinic and doing an email with Boys and Girls Club of Leominster and Fitchburg. Ambassadors have been posting on social media.   We are doing lots of marketing but results are not yet clear.   

Michellle and Brian presented some preliminary budget information as attached to the agenda.  Given the decline in enrollment, we are having to budget at 370 students versus 390 students which creates a large budget gap going into next year.  Comments from the committee included that enrollment fluctuations with play a very big role in the budget results.  The committee asked if the midyear state budget cuts that are presently being discussed at the state level were likely to impact our funding.  Michelle noted that typically education funding is not impacted by midyear budget cuts.  The Committee asked if the staff were asking questions about the budget and staffing.  Brian noted that there has not been very much talk that we are aware of.  Brian explained that budget development process, given the revenue decline with fewer students, will include discussions with the Leadership team, compensation committee from last year, and the full faculty.   The committee also discussed the potential need for a second meeting in March if we can not approve the budget after a first read.