Doomsday FY2008 budget unveiled by schools
Published on February 14th, 2007
STONEHAM, MA - The School Committee reluctantly unveiled a revised budget on Monday night that would layoff over 30 education personnel, close down a wing of the middle school, and slash all high school athletics next year.
As mandated by Town Administrator David Ragucci, the education board instituted nearly $1.5 million worth of reductions to its proposed $24.4 million budget for FY'08.
However, according to School Committee Chair Kristen Russo, that deficit was raised to $1.8 million to account for employee raises, which are still un-negotiated on both sides of the municipality at this point.
"We felt that it was our responsibility to add this and not let this unfunded liability compound," said Russo, explaining why that $300,000 figure was tacked onto the fiscal hole.
Schools' Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly explained that as in years past, soaring special education costs, as well as health insurance and utility expense increases, were the primary factors driving the requested $1.8 million increase in funding for next fiscal year.
Combined, those three factors alone reportedly total over $1 million, close to half of the entire district's FY'08 deficit.
Referring to the constant criticism the school department has received over recent years, Connelly contended that school officials had tackled nearly every major revenue-generating idea to offset the budget crisis.
In total, the School Committee has tapped close to $2.5 million worth of outside sources to stem the tough financial waters, but ultimately, those efforts have been largely unsuccessful in preventing significant downsizing, the Superintendent argued.
"For the past several years, as our costs to run the town have outpaced our revenues, we have looked to fees," Connelly admitted, adding that the district has basically "fee'd parents to death" over the years.
"But in spite of these fees, the major strategy we've utilized is to downsize. We're at a position right now where there really isn't much more downsizing we can do," the Superintendent added.
Outlining some significant layoffs and cost reductions, the School Committee has proposed the following:
•Cutting one SHS assistant principal for a $50,519 savings;
•Closing rear middle school wing, forcing the grade 6 to the elementary schools for $119,005;
•Eliminating all high school athletics for a $306,694 reduction;
•Slashing all fine arts K-8 for a $239,992 cut;
•Laying off two of six school nurses for a $47,095 savings;
•Cutting K-8 physical education classes for a $102,066 reduction;
•Closing all K-8 library media centers for a $157,892 cut;
•Laying off middle school math and English teacher, a $66,496 savings;
•Eliminating eight elementary teachers for a $294,242 reduction;
•Cutting two custodial positions, saving $56,133;
•Freezing $82,315 textbook purchases;
•Freezing $74,600 purchase of technology upgrades.
According to Russo, while the school department might opt against some of the reductions based upon their impacts to the district's ability to operate, she saw little way around the majority of the reductions, should an alternate funding source not be realized.
"These are not set in stone, but when we're looking at $1.8 million in cuts, there's not much leeway," the School Committee Chair said.
Like the town's budget, the school expense plan does include at new positions that drive the estimated $1.8 million. Specifically, the School Committee has proposed hiring for new middle school teachers, part of a five-year restoration plan, at a cost of $220,000 in FY'08.
Those positions, which combined with proposed employee raises account for nearly 29 percent of the school system's predicted $1.8 million deficit in FY'08. Both of those items would be slashed to balance the district's spending plan.
"The only thing that's in the draft budget that's new is the four middle school teachers, which is part of a five-year restoration plan," said Connelly, adding that the additions would allow for a return of the middle school team concept.
"The School Committee felt they had an obligation to build that into its projected budget. If they can't it will be removed," the Superintendent added.
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