Date: Fri 07-Feb-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: LIBRAR

Quick Words:

school-budget-Reed

Full Text:

School Budget Pinches Pennies

BY DOROTHY EVANS

School board members reviewing the Superintendent's 1997-98 budget proposal

are finding that during "a building year," there isn't much room to maneuver.

"This budget is relatively tight," Superintendent John Reed told the board

Tuesday night, adding, "It's difficult in early February to say how we might

micromanage even $50,000."

After spending more than two weeks reviewing the document during special

workshop sessions, the board appears likely to stick with Dr Reed's proposed

$29.9 million spending package - at least for now.

A vote is scheduled for either Tuesday or Wednesday night, February 11 or 12,

after which the budget proposal will be sent on to the Legislative Council.

The due date is Friday, February 21.

If the council asks for further reductions, board members will have to

reconsider.

Although the proposed budget represents a 5.9 percent increase over its

1996-97 version, board chairman Herb Rosenthal wanted it known that he

considers the increase is "really more like three percent," after factoring in

the first-time, additional costs necessary to support the sewer and school

construction projects.

Mr Rosenthal also said there were two ways of looking at that 5.9 percent

increase. In keeping with recent trends, it was one of the lowest among area

school districts - a fact that should please the taxpayers.

But it also did not allow the board to initiate any substantive improvements

in staffing or programs, and Mr Rosenthal admitted to feeling frustrated by

that.

"We always seem to have one of the lowest budget increases among area towns.

But we never really have a budget that moves us forward. We're always treading

water," he said.

`We always seem to be waiting for that `good year' to come, when we can do

some of the things that might directly enhance education for our children," he

added.

"But it's never a good year," Mr Rosenthal said.

Dr Reed seemed to agree, citing two examples of areas where he would like to

give support but could not be sure the money would be there: namely, a new bus

for Transportation Director Mary Kelly and a definite "go-ahead" for Building

and Grounds Supervisor Dom Posca to tackle a few small but important projects.

"Mary had tried for a new bus, but I had to say no," Dr Reed said.

One area that concerned board members was the possible addition of a second

"Lead Teacher" to assist the two new elementary school principals, Donna Page

at Sandy Hook and Gary Hexom at Middle Gate.

The 1997-98 budget allows for continuation of one lead teacher position at

Sandy Hook, but board vice-chairman Amy Dent would like to see a second

position funded, she said.

Mr Rosenthal supported Mrs Dent's position and spoke of the added

responsibilities faced by elementary school principals at a time of increasing

school enrollment.

"We're a growing district with more family situations and children with

special needs. This takes time for the principals," Mr Rosenthal said.

Board member Susan Hills did not support the addition of another lead teacher,

however.

"I don't think this is the year that we can do this," said Mrs Hills, and she

commended the administration for keeping the size of the increase small.

In further discussion, board members debated whether or not to budget $10,000

to support the softball and baseball intramural programs at the Middle School.

Both softball and baseball had been cut from last year's budget when the town

council called for a reduction of $250,000. As a result, the programs were

completely funded by parents through private donations, as they have been now

for the past three years.

"When people offer to fund and hire, then ask us to take those programs on as

an add-on while we're trying to hold the line on a budget... It's not right.

Especially when there are other outlets," Mr Rosenthal said. But in his

opinion, this was not the time to cut the $10,000 appropriation from the

budget proposal.

"If the budget flies through, then OK," Mr Rosenthal said.

"I don't endorse it. It does not fill a void. They can get both softball and

baseball through Parks and Rec," Mrs Dent said.

She pointed out that parents had been told when they first took on funding of

those two Middle School athletic programs, there were "no guarantees" the

board would ever add them into the budget.

"I'd rather see that money spent for foreign language in the elementary

schools," Peggy Ulrich-Nims said.

Mrs Hills agreed.