$18.4 million and counting, draft one of School Dept. budget
Published on February 16th, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - The School Committee unanimously approved draft one of the 2000-2001 school department budget, on Thursday, marking the first step in the lengthy process of finalizing a budget for the next school year.
Describing it as a maintenance level budget, school Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly emphasized that, at $18,404,160, draft one is 3.65 percent, or approximately $648,000, higher than the current year's budget and "will allow the school system to maintain its current needs."
Included in the figure are enrollment driven staffing additions and current contract step pay raise obligations, as well as a substantial increase in heat and utilities for the new South School which will open its doors in September.
Not included in the $18 million figure are increased program allowances and the accompanying demand for more staff. These requests are expected in subsequent drafts in the next few months.
The school department is also seeking an additional $255,500, but rather than incorporating it into the budget where, according to Connelly, it will likely compete with staffing needs, it will be requested from Town Meeting voters in two separate warrant articles.
Connelly described the additional funds sought as one-time, unique costs: $130,500 for MCAS related books and materials and $125,000 for computer wiring drops in classrooms.
The committee also directed Connelly to work with Town Counsel William Solomon on a third warrant article requesting $50,000, this time for a feasibility study of the town's secondary schools. The idea for a feasibility study was one of the outcomes of the District Strategic Plan.
Next year's school calendar was also finalized during Thursday's meeting.
In a deviation from the past couple of years, the 2000-2001 school year will follow a traditional calendar and will begin after Labor Day.
The School Committee gathered input from the Stoneham Teachers' Association (STA) which opted for the post-holiday start.
According to Committee Chairman Jeanne Craigie, the STA laid out its preference as follows: if Labor Day falls on September 1, 2, 3, or 4, a traditional calendar is proposed; if Labor Day falls after September 4, a pre-holiday start is desired.
While the decision ultimately falls with the School Committee, opinion was split at an earlier meeting, and the prerogative of the board, at that point, was to seek input of the STA.
For the 2000-2001 academic year, teachers are scheduled to report to school on Tuesday, September 5, with students joining them on Thursday, September 7. The final day of school depends on the number, if any, of snow days utilized during the year. The earliest school closing date is scheduled for June 15, the latest is June 22.
Last month, the committee voted to keep school in session on Monday, November 13. Since Veteran's Day falls on a Saturday (November 11), the committee is not required to observe the following Monday as a holiday.
"If we're not obligated contractually, I think that's a good way to pick up a day," Connelly said at that time.
Despite the wishes of the STA as outlined above, the committee emphasized that the calendar discussion and vote applies to the 2000-2001 school year only. No decision was made for subsequent years.
In other news, member Marie Christie, who also serves on the School Building Committee, advised the School Committee of a recent setback with regard to the new Central School project.
In contrast to the new South School, which has been built on a vacated lot, construction of the new Central School will take place adjacent to the Middle School, which will be in session through much of the construction phase.
It was hoped that the access road that runs from Pomeworth Street to the Middle School lot could be used for commuter traffic to and from the school. However, the issue of liability has reared its head, and the committee has been advised that no general contractor will be able to secure insurance with such a heavily trafficked roadway so close to construction.
Alternatives to alleviating congestion on the site and around construction continue to be investigated and may include use of the Stop & Shop parking lot and access through Merrow Lane.
The School Committee's next meeting is Feb. 24.
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