Viccaro presents education proposal with 2.88 percent increase
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Thursday, March 4, 2010 - 9:47am
District 13 Superintendent Susan Viccaro introduced the 2010-2011 proposed education budget on Wednesday, March 3. This year’s projected increase of 2.88 percent, combined with last year’s increase of 0.58 percent, yields an average increase over the last two years of 1.73 percent, said Viccaro.
For a net bottom line of $32,155,840, the budget contains no staff cuts aside from one retiring teacher at the elementary level who will be replaced by moving another current teacher into the slot.
“Last year 6.8 positions were cut, and, based on that, we don’t want to cut this year,” said Viccaro. “Six point eight is a significant number.”
Salaries and benefits are up by 3.56 and 11.20 percent, respectively, and capital expenditures are up by 231.69 percent. This line item is expected to stand out, as the Board of Education has drawn criticism in the past for lack of an annual capital plan. This year they have drawn up a five-year capital plan. The first year of the plan includes $376,575 for fire alarm replacement, oil tank replacement, classroom furniture and a new clock and PA system at Brewster. Crumbling masonry between bricks of the north gym wall and chimney will also be replaced at Brewster. There will be a new lockdown system and new clock and PA system at John Lyman School; and a lockdown system, replacement of oil tanks and lockers at Memorial School and cafeteria equipment in all schools. To fund these projects, $150,000 will be raised from taxes and the rest will come out of a small surplus in the current capital account.
“We’re trying to get all the puzzle pieces in place,” said Viccaro. “The capital plan is part of it.”
Another plan — the Strategic Plan — makes this year a significant one as the new plan will be officially rolled out April 28, marking the fourth five-year strategic plan for District 13.
Under estimated receipts, business manager Ron Melnik explained that the district recognized the towns’ concern with the fund balance and subsequently looked into ways to bring the money forward. Melnik noted that $1.2 million from the accumulated fund balance, as well as approximately $600,000 of unspent money in the current budget, are counted as receipts to help offset taxes in next year’s budget.
Aside from support staff, no contracts are being negotiated at this time, but Viccaro noted that administrators, the superintendent, business manager, IT director, director of building and grounds, central office and nursing staff all took furlough days this year in order to save money.
Viccaro said the goals with this budget are to maintain current staff, move forward with current curriculum initiatives and follow the technology plan and implement year one of the newest strategic and capital plans.
Melnik and Viccaro credited administrators and staff for tenaciously keeping the budget down, and are pleased that reallocating money has helped reduce the effect of the 2010-2011 budget.
