Date: Fri 20-Mar-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

schools-council-budget-lease

Full Text:

Town Looks For Savings In Leased School Technology

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Board of Education has been scrambling to plug the holes ever since its

proposed budget was cut $800,000 by the Legislative Council last week.

On Tuesday, school officials met with the council's finance committee to

propose a municipal-leasing arrangement that would allow it to acquire

$411,000 worth of technology, but not have to pay a penny until next July --

in another budget.

Also, through the use of Local Capital Improvement (LOCIP) funds from the

state, the school system could collect an additional $70,000 for capital

projects like back stops, bleachers and sidewalks. That would reduce the

overall impact of the council's cut to a less drastic $343,000.

"I think the finance committee would support this. It's fine with me because

it doesn't raise the bottom line," said John Kortze, finance committee

chairman.

Toward the end of Tuesday's meeting, finance committee members appeared

somewhat dismayed by comments made by Superintendent of Schools John R. Reed,

who pointed out that the school system may not implement the leasing plan. He

told the committee that it should not assume the school board will go along

with the proposal. He suggested that notwithstanding the savings that might

accrue through the leasing scheme, the magnitude of the proposed school budget

cut still leaves major hurdles for the school board, including the need to

hire new teachers for the town's growing student population.

The Legislative Council has no line-item authority over the Board of Education

budget. Nevertheless, Dr Reed said he is in favor of a municipal-lease

purchase payment.

Both the school board and the finance committee are expected to meet Monday

night to further discuss ways to reduce the impact of the cuts.