Date: Fri 22-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: ANN

Quick Words:

school-budget-Reed

Full Text:

Superintendent Unveils His Budget Proposal

BY ANN MARIE COHEN

Newtown's Superintendent of Schools John Reed presented a $35.4 million budget

proposal for the 1999-2000 fiscal year to the Board of Education on Tuesday

evening. A planned $4.7 million in capital projects in the schools for the

coming fiscal year would bring overall school spending to $40 million.

The school spending plan for operating expenses represents a 10.54 percent

increase over the current operating budget of $32 million.

The current school budget showed an increase of 7.66 percent last year over

the previous year. On average, budget increases have been about five percent

over the past decade.

Dr Reed explained that the largest portion of the budget increase, close to $2

million, is allocated for salaries of administrators, certified and

non-certified teachers and substitute teachers, as well as activities

directors and other auxiliary staff.

The salary totals reflect contract rate increases and money budgeted for the

hiring of 18.4 new teaching positions.

A majority of the new positions are intended to sustain existing class sizes.

Dr Reed noted, "The guidelines we try to follow are 20 [students] or less in

grades K-2, 20-25 in grades 3-8. Many classes at the high school have 23-26

students."

Along with salary increases, employee benefits are also on the rise. An

increase of close to $600,000 is projected. The board members will be taking a

close look at ways to bring hospitalization costs down. They account for about

one-sixth of the total employee benefit figure.

Purchased services that include site and building improvements account for a

moderate increase of about $400,000.

Contracted pupil services such as student transportation and out-of-district

placement will see an increase of just over $300,000.

Other proposed increases include $140,000 to meet equipment needs, $100,000

for instructional and maintenance supplies and materials, and $33,000 to

provide professional service that encompasses staff training and curriculum

development.

Capital Expenses

The operating budget for the school district is held exclusive from a separate

capital spending plan recently submitted to the Legislative Council. The

proposed capital projects budget for the school district includes $4,739,700.

Needed renovations to be addressed under the capital plan include roof

replacement at Middle Gate School. Dr Reed noted that "water is beginning to

seep into some classrooms. It is imperative that the roof be replaced."

Also, Head O'Meadow School needs to upgrade its facility to meet current

safety codes and renovate a kindergarten.

Newtown Middle School also needs work to bring it into compliance with fire

codes.

The architect's costs for design of the proposed 5/6 school will need to be

met. The state will cover $1.7 million of the $4.8 million expense.

Efforts have been made to meet the growing demands of student enrollment and

additional classrooms needed. The additions to Sandy Hook and Middle Gate

elementary schools, and most recently the high school, are roughly the

equivalent of two schools being built.

The school budget submission is based on a projected student enrollment of

4,753, which represents a growth of 5.3 percent over 1998-1999. Current

student enrollment is 4,514.

Growing Enrollment,

Shrinking Resources

While Dr Reed conceded that increases in the operating budget may be seen as

significant, perhaps even excessive, when the extraordinary growth in

enrollment is taken into account, per pupil spending has only increased a

nominal 1.6 percent.

"The data reveals that estimated per pupil expenditure for 1998-99 is actually

at its lowest level in 12 years," Dr Reed wrote in a summary of his budget

plan. Newtown ranks 146th out of 169 towns in measured wealth and net current

expenditure per pupil.

Dr Reed noted there was a general pattern toward decreased state aid to school

districts. Newtown has witnessed state aid reduced from 24 percent in

1990-1991 to 12.2 percent in 1998-1999. If 1988 statutes would have still been

in effect, Newtown schools would have been awarded $11,430,264. They have

actually received $3,739,607.

"Newtown has a well-established, tight budget," Dr Reed concluded. "There are

not a lot of places to look [for savings], consequently, growth and new needs

tend to be addressed by new resources."

The Newtown Board of Education will vote on Superintendent Reed's budget

proposal in the second week of February. It will then be forwarded to the

Legislative Council and presented to the public in April.