Schools holding budget for group unveiling
Published on February 7th, 2007
STONEHAM, MA - In an unusual, if not unprecedented, move, the Stoneham School Committee decided against unveiling its proposed fiscal year 2008 budget at last week's committee meeting, as it typically does at this point each year in the budget process. Instead, School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly announced a change to the normal way of doing business.
"On Monday, February 12, for the first time in a number of years, if not perhaps the first time ever, the school budget and town budget will be presented together at a joint meeting," Connelly said, emphasizing the importance of presenting and discussing budget needs town-wide.
The school department plans to present a needs-based budget, described by Connelly as "a basic, honest appraisal of what our basic needs are to maintain our existing level of service." There is, however, one exception included in that draft one proposed budget which shies away from the present level of funding philosophy, and that pertains to the School Committee's commitment to addressing some dire Middle School needs.
"The School Committee felt the Middle School was an absolute priority."
It its five-year plan, the School Committee identified the Middle School as a focal point in terms of rebuilding some of what it has lost in recent years to budget cuts, including a return to the Middle School team teaching concept. In order to accomplish this first step in the five year plan, four additional Middle School teachers are needed, and have been included in the draft one, needs-based budget.
The school department faces other fiscal challenges too. In its draft one budget, the salary line item includes only step and level increases for teachers, despite that fact that salary negotiations are ongoing. The step and level increases, along with the addition of four Middle School teachers results in an $297,000 increase. Any negotiated salary increased would be in addition to this figure. Health insurance is also expected to increase by 13 percent, or $271,000, over the current year; the Operations and Maintenance line item is expected to see an increase of $103,000 made up primarily of electricity increases; and Other School Services, specifically textbook adoptions, technology replacement and upkeep, and mandated professional development costs are also anticipated to rise another $182,000. The special education budget could rise by a reported $633,000 due to the addition of two special education teachers needed to meet next year's population needs, as well as increases in transportation, tuition rates, and contracted services. These five areas alone requires an increase of $1.5 million in the School Committee's FY 2008 needs- based budget. However, there is always the possibility that new Town Administrator David Ragucci may require all departments, including the school department, to address the town's financial crisis by developing a zero-based budget for FY2008 which would allow no additional budgeted funds over existing levels.
"That will certainly cause a need to make very, very difficult decisions," Connelly said. "At this point, it is not sure if the town can afford that (needs based budget) because the cost of running the town of Stoneham is outpacing the revenue that is available each year."
If the town calls for a zero-based budget instead, then the School Committee must effectively find a way to reduce its proposed budget by $1.5 million.
"It's going to be a very, very difficult time," Connelly said if the zero-based budget is called for.
Yet the tone was upbeat as Connelly and the School Committee expressed optimism with town presenting municipal and school budgets together as one.
"The school is an extension of the town. It's time we started working as a town," School Committee Chairman Kristin Russo said. "I'm very pleased to see we'll be presented as one."
"All of us are very encouraged that we'll be working hand-in-hand with the Finance Board and Board of Selectmen, doing much of this as a team this year," Connelly added.
In other news, the School Committee's decision not to enter into a contract with Camp Good Times again this summer met applause from teachers and parents in attendance at Thursday's meeting. Camp Good Times is a summer camp program for special needs students. For the past several years, it has rented space in a Stoneham elementary school building for a 10-week period in the summer. While Stoneham had initiated the partnership in its quest to maximize revenue, it has become clear that such a relationship is no longer worth the cost. As discussed at a School Committee last month, Central School teachers were opposed to allowing the camp to return to their building this summer due to issues including lack of security, lost supplies, and property damage. In addition, teachers were not able to access their classrooms throughout much of the summer to prepare for the new school year. In response to a promise made to Central School staff giving that building a rest from the camp's impact, the program was moved to Robin Hood School last summer. Unfortunately, a glitch in the air conditioning or electric system increased the actual electricity cost to nearly double of what it was at Central School a year earlier, and Camp Good Times was unable to cover the increased cost.
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