Multiple-Year Comparisons

Of School Costs Are Unfair

To the Editor:

Since the 2006 budget was assembled to the current compilation of the 2013 Board of Education budget, there has been seven budget cycles that have occurred. During this time there have been 33 Board of Education budget workshops and hearings, approximately 22 Board of Finance reviews, 12 Legislative Council subcommittee reviews, 14 Board of Finance and Legislation Council Public Hearings, 21 Legislative Council meetings, and a total of 15 referendum votes (including one town meeting). This extensive public review, scrutiny, and due diligence with multiple stakeholder’s discussion and commentary has been the process utilized for budget approval. The result of this extensive process is to come to agreement each year on what is important to the community, including cost and the ability to pay, to have an effective school system.

The process has been representative and involved. The latest challenge by some has been to do multiple-year comparisons to enlarge the impact of the school budget. Last year it was a seven-year comparison to inflation indexes. This year it is a seven-year staffing efficiency ratio based on enrollment. This is inherently unfair because the process used has been to review and discuss year-to-year. Seven years ago we were paying $1.98 per gallon for oil. Next year we will pay $3.37 a gallon, a 70 percent increase in cost. This year school transportation cost $393 per day per bus. Next year it will cost $310 per day per bus.

To make statements saying this year we are millions higher based on inflated staffing according to an efficiency ratio going back six years, discounts and discredits the extensive participatory political process that is utilized.

The “political efficiency ratio” as it relates to the budget process is low when a minority position continues to be presented in spite of a majority vote.

When we assemble the next year’s school budget based on the programs and needs of the current year, we should not have to review and justify the last six years. The appropriate challenge should be to look at next year’s proposal and compare it to this year’s actual and identify where potential program changes can and should be made. The Board of Education makes cuts and changes every year and supporters come out to protest. In the last few years we heard from supporters of educational assistants, bus contractors, music, and health program advocates.

Change is not as simple as suggested, and we can all be Monday morning quarterbacks. Looking forward with vision is what matters. Let’s not change the rules in the final quarter.

Ronald J. Bienkowski

Director of Business

Newtown Public Schools

3 Primrose Street, Newtown                                          April 11, 2012