Schools

BOE Adopts $63.17 Million Budget, Without 'Drastic' Cuts

The Board of Education unanimously passes the 2011-2012 school budget on Monday night

After nearly two months of intensive deliberation and considering community concerns, the Board of Education adopted a $63.17 million school budget for next year, without making any devastating cuts on Monday night.

Due to a loss of nearly $1 million in state aid, board members faced a particularly challenging budget season. They debated , athletic trainers and the , but ultimately decided to keep those items. They adjusted central office salaries and teacher stipends instead. But, as grim as this budget process was, board members forewarned that next year, the situation will likely be less yielding.

“Because of slightly better news, we were able to postpone some decisions,” remarked board member Lisa Kiernan. “We’re not necessarily going to postpone them again. I’m glad we’re not making any drastic changes.”

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In addition to getting help from legislators, the board was able to soften the reduction blow because employees renegotiated their contracts last year and administrators agreed to pay freezes the previous year, saving approximately $1 million.

While members were able to spare the programs about which staff and parents were most vocal, they still had to make critical cuts. The State mandated an increase of $570,000 in pension contributions and a 4.07 percent increase in health premiums, requiring the board to offset those costs.

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Pelham Schools can expect to see reductions in the following areas:

  • 3.6 positions were cut. The retiring English, special education teacher and the .6 administrative position for World Language Supervisor won’t be replaced and a language teacher will be eliminated (based on enrollment).
  • Federal grant money will be used to fund another 1.76 positions
  • Staffing for services, clubs and sports will be streamlined
  • By sharing services and costs, the board saved on transportation, workman’s compensation and health care
  • $4 million in reserve funds will pay down several high interest outstanding debt and offset tax increases
  • Reductions were made in teacher conference and workshop attendance, operation of the Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Council, some staff development and BOCES services
  • Nurses will cover for one another, instead of using substitutes
  • Identified additional savings in teaching and administrative salaries, teaching stipends, a mechanics position and employee benefits

“This budget had input from everybody—starting with the community forum working right up to tonight,” remarked board member Theodore Howard. “It was death by 1,000 cuts. It was a lot of little cuts that equaled big impact.”

While quite a few parents, throughout the budget process, requested that the board , members ultimately decided to maintain it.

Superintendent Dr. Dennis Lauro explained why both supervisors and department chairs play indispensible roles, in his opinion, within the district.

Among their many tasks, the supervisors are responsible for hiring, improving programs, seeking out professional grants and coordinating interdisciplinary learning between departments. The elementary director, on the other hand, maintains a consistent curriculum at all four elementary schools, mentors new principals, evaluates teachers and prepares for the Race to the Top assessments, in addition to other responsibilities.

“I wish to express my complete support for the current proposed staffing,” said Lauro. “The administrative reorganization was implemented to address the needs of our educational program and to improve student achievement.”

Although board members expressed their satisfaction with the final budget product, a few already pointed out specific financial concerns for next year. The new core curriculum is one enormous undertaking, as is the revamping of teacher and principal evaluations.

“There certainly were a lot of voices heard in this room,” remarked board member Peggy O’Leary. “Because of those voices, we have been able to come to a conclusion that will be acceptable to the community at large. Next year, it will be a little more difficult to live with.”


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