School Board

Makes Budget Cuts

By Laurie Borst

The Board of Education cut $1.9 million from its 2007-2008 budget, June 19, as the result of three failed referenda. Dr Evan Pitkoff told the board he had met with school principals and administrators. “These are reluctant proposals we are making,” he said.

In January, Dr Pitkoff presented a requested budget of $64,893,992. This budget was submitted to the Board of Finance, which subsequently recommended a cut of $581,000. After the failed votes, the school’s budget was finally set at $62,885,158.

In May, administrators identified areas realizing savings in accounts, including diesel fuel for buses, actual medical and dental insurance rates, oil spill wastewater treatment, vo-ag tuition, and turnover estimates, which totaled $543,476.

In June, revised medical insurance rates, medical adjustments in the secretaries’ contract, and additional turnover yields savings of $327,605. This left $1,007,919 to be cut from the budget.

Dr Pitkoff then presented the cuts he was proposing to reach the million-plus number. The board discussed the various cuts, agreeing with most of them.

Board member David Nanavaty, with the support of members Andrew Buzzi and Paul Mangiafico, questioned cutting four second grade teachers and one reading teacher at the middle school. Without board support of the proposed cuts, a short recess was called and Dr Pitkoff and Business Director Ron Bienkowski compiled a list of cuts to make rather than cut the five teaching positions.

The board found this second list of cuts more palatable, while reiterating their reluctance to make them.

The cuts the board voted to accept include two seventh grade teachers at the middle school, a half-time math/science teacher at Reed, part-time special ed positions of assistive technology, tutor for the blind, educational assistant at Hawley, and behavior analyst services.

A curriculum technology specialist, staff and program development work, and textbooks for Spanish I and French I were cut from the curriculum account.

The technology account lost the request for Destiny library software and equipment, and Head O’ Meadow will not be replacing obsolete computer equipment with new PCs this year. One bus, insurance and fuel was cut.

The items cut to maintain the second grade teachers and reading teacher include a second bus, a part-time physical education position at Reed, part-time English teacher at the high school, only funding half of the security cameras at the high school, and new computers at Middle Gate School that were to replace the old system that crashes frequently. Savings in the oil account and turnover and delayed hiring led to more savings.

Middle Gate Principal Judy Liestman reminded the board that through fundraising, the school had been able to purchase five Smart Boards that require PCs to run. The administrators assured her the funds could be found to provide the PCs so that the Smart Boards could continue to be utilized.

In other business that evening, the board approved Chartwells Food Service Contract for another year. They also approved the Field, Sports and TAP Bus Contract.