The School Committee
wants your feedback on the 2013-14 school year budget proposal!
Growing enrollment,
increased student needs, and program innovation all require resources and
funding if Needham intends to provide the kind of education that meets the community’s
high expectations for its young people and the adults who serve them.
Diminished and uncertain State
and Federal funding coupled with sluggish economic growth has required the
shaping of a balanced, prudent, and responsible budget plan that addresses real
student learning needs. The School
Committee wishes to hear from parents, students, staff, and community members
about the budget proposal as they consider possible reductions in the plan. The
task ahead of them is difficult, and I know they will certainly appreciate
feedback from the community at the FY14
Budget Public Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at
Broadmeadow.
The proposed FY14 plan
totals $54,423,967 and represents a 6.48% increase over the current budget
year. This budget proposal outlines the resources the schools need to support a
viable and sustainable educational program for our students, one that is
consistent with our core values of Scholarship, Citizenship, Community, and
Personal Growth.
The budget plan was
developed in the context of growing student enrollment, particularly at the
secondary level, where more intensive resources are required to meet the complexities
of the middle and high school programs.
Additional staffing for teachers at the middle and high schools and an
assistant principal at the high school are requested as part of this plan, as
well as staff to expand and grow student intramurals and athletics. Student enrollment at the elementary
level has not decreased; this budget request seeks an additional grade two
teacher at Hillside, as well as additional support to enhance mathematics
learning and support for all students in each elementary school.
The budget proposal also
takes into account the growing need to provide staff training, professional
development, and tools to support the mandated educator evaluation program and
to develop teacher increased skills and knowledge, as we integrate new and
additional technology into Needham’s schools, classrooms, and offices.
Budget highlights
include:
·
The budget
represents a proposed 6.48% increase of $3.3 million over the current fiscal
year. If Federal budget cuts are implemented this spring, an additional $142,000
will be needed, for a total budget of $54,566,025.
·
Contractual
costs account for $1.2 million of the overall expenditure increase; enrollment
and mandated (level service) costs account for $1.6 million of the
increases. Contracts and level
service increases account for the majority of the budget request or 5.68% of
the total 6.48% request.
·
Program
improvements and innovation account for a modest $410,000 or 0.8% of the
requested amount.
·
The budget
assumes that total PreK-12 enrollment will grow to 5,519 in FY14 (from 5,476 in
FY13.) Elementary enrollment is
projected to decline slightly from 2,519 to 2,507; middle school enrollment is
expected to rise from 1,313 to 1,331 and High School enrollment is expected to
increase from 1,562 to 1,598.
·
Overall
staffing is increased by 25 Full Time Equivalents (FTE), including 22 FTE
teachers.
·
Regular
education transportation costs will also increase, resulting in an additional
operating budget subsidy of $65,000 and a fee increase of at least $5.00 from
$390 to $395.
·
Two
additional math instructional coaches are proposed to support students and
teachers at the elementary level; an athletic assistant is also included (and
partially funded by the revolving account) to develop the high school’s
athletic and intramural programs for all students; technical support staffing
is increased by 1.5 FTE.
·
Support for
professional development and technology tools is also increased in this budget
plan by a total of $128,081. This
amount will provide training for the new and mandated teacher evaluation model
and the expansion of training required to expand the middle school’s 1 to 1
technology initiative.
Members of the School
Committee and central office administration have been working closely with the
Finance Committee to review the school budget plan in anticipation of a
presentation to the full Finance Committee later in January. While supportive
of identified needs in the schools, members of the Finance Committee are
concerned that the proposed school budget exceeds available resources. They
have asked the School Committee and school administration to reconsider some
worthwhile budget requests and scale back plans. However, as your
superintendent I am worried that reductions in this plan will further erode
services parents and students have come to expect.
Please attend the School
Committee’s FY14 Budget public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15th
at Broadmeadow to learn more about the budget proposal and voice your ideas,
concerns, and support. You may also email the School Committee at: schoolcommittee@needham.k12.ma.us
.