by Lynn K. McMullin
The Administrative team, along with the Board of Education's Finance Sub-Committee, have been working very hard since November to develop a fiscally-responsible budget for the district which does not compromise the high achievement we have been reporting to you over the past few years. Now, the Board of Education begin its deliberations with the administrators and the community. Here are significant dates to mark on your calendar:
1. Thursday, February 12, 2009 -- 7:00 p.m. -- Canton Community Center -- Board of Education meeting -- Superintendent’s Budget Presentation
2. Tuesday, February 24, 2009 -- 10:00 a.m. -- Canton Community Center --Budget Presentation to the Community
3. Tuesday, February 24, 2009 -- 1:30 p.m. -- Canton Intermediate School --Budget Presentation to the Community
4. Tuesday, February 24, 2009 -- 8:00 p.m. -- Canton Community Center --Budget Public Hearing
5. Wednesday, February 25, 2009 -- 2:30 p.m. -- Cherry Brook Primary School --Budget Presentation to the Community
6. Thursday, March 5, 2009 -- 7:00 p.m. -- Canton Community Center -- Board of Education meeting -- Adoption of 2009-2010 School Budget
Please use this spot to post your budget-related questions or comments, so we can know what's on your mind.
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As far as the budget: I would be interested to know, in light of the current economical environment, if there are plans to reduce, stay the same, or increase the budget?
ReplyDeleteAs the state is less able to send the number of dollars our ways as it has in the past, how do you propose we will handle this shortfall?
The Superintendent, Kevin Case, and the administrative team, are currently preparing the budget proposal which will be presented to the Board of Education at its meeting on February 12th. This isn't a dodge of your question, but scrutiny on the budget proposal literally changes its bottom line every day. The fiscal issues and Connecticut State shortfalls are constant topics of discussion. The struggle is to balance the needs of the district's students with the financial realities. Please try to attend the BOE session on the 12th, as well as other meetings that are posted. Once the budget is proposed next week, we'll need feedback.
ReplyDeleteLast year, we spent over $8,000(1) on software. I would like to suggest that you consider free alternatives. Though buying proprietary stuff may help teach us how to use said proprietary stuff, would it not benefit the students more to spend the money on books? The free software mentioned is as capable as the stuff you buy, and the source code is available, so if the students want to learn more about how the program works, they can (without being in hot water with with the law(2)).
ReplyDeleteThank you for asking.
(1: http://www.cantonschools.org/content/pdf_files/Technology_Budget-Rev3.pdf)
(2: Microsoft's School license agreement does not allow reverse engineering.
http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/e/3/4e3eace0-4c6d-4123-9d0c-c80436181742/CampusSchool_LicenseRights_U.S.doc)
The use of freeware applications is a topic we discuss on a regular basis, as we know we could save money on the software line. What we can't predict is the costs we would then see in IT support services as our teachers become frustrated with the change and face yet another learning curve. Therefore, we have to consider how well our teachers can instruct students using freeware, or non-standard applications. Many teachers (well, many adults in all fields actually), become dependent upon programs such as Microsoft; and their productivity is proportional to their familiarity with these programs. The idea of having to learn something new actually interfers with their ability to do their job as efficiently. So, while we want the students to problem-solve and work with applications, not specific programs, we balk at expecting the staff to do that.
ReplyDelete"What we can't predict is the costs we would then see in IT support services as our teachers become frustrated with the change and face yet another learning curve."
ReplyDeleteJust wait 'till you have to buy the next windows distribution.
"Therefore, we have to consider how well our teachers can instruct students using freeware[sic], or non-standard applications."
Usually they are pretty much the same. The difference is no greater then that between windows and Mac-OS.
"Many teachers (well, many adults in all fields actually), become dependent upon programs such as Microsoft; and their productivity is proportional to their familiarity with these programs."
I am well aware of that, but is it fair to stick students in the same very expensive rut?
Can you please comment on the reduction of paraprofessionals due to a "different model for delivering support services". What exactly is the different model and how will it impact a student whom is receiving help at present from a paraprofessional.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, when a student's IEP (Individualized Educational Plan)stated that a student needed support in Writing, for example, we would schedule a paraprofessional to work with that student (or with a few students) on writing all day long.
ReplyDeleteNow, the paraprofessional will target his/her efforts with that student on writing during the writing instruction block, and then move on to another student (or small group of students) who need individualized attention in Reading or in Math.
In other words, the paraprofessionals will be seeing more students throughout the day, rather than working with one student or small group exclusively throughout the day.
This is a very common model used in many districts.
Students' whose IEPs say that they need day-long support will still receive that level of support.
Right now (March 18, 2009)the Board of Education's adopted budget is a 2.58% increase. However, because of fixed cost increases in teachers' salaries and benefits, insurance, out-of-district tuitions, and some operational expenses, the money allocated to programs, instruction, supplies, and technology has significantly decreased. Summer School at CBPS and CIS has been cut, as has .5 of the ACT Program at CIS. A portion of the athletic budget will be covered by a new pay-for-play fee. Another example: there will be no new technology purchases next year and the 5-year replacement cycle for computers is being postponed. The only technology expenses will be the maintenance of servers, licensing for Microsoft, First Class email, the student information system (attendance and grades), virus protection, and so on.
ReplyDeleteThere is a cut in 10 paraprofessionals, 2.2 teachers, 1 custodian, and many individual budget lines.
The budget also includes the architect fees and a downpayment on the modular classrooms for CBPS, which is part of the Capital Improvement Budget.
So, while the budget shows a 2.58% increase; it's a significant cut in programs for the schools.
Fixed cost increases in teacher's salaries and benefits. What percentage increase in salaries is there in the current union contract? When does the next contract come due for negoiations? Is there any clause in current contact to freeze increases?
ReplyDeleteThese are good questions, and I'll answer them one at a time.
ReplyDeleteFirst, for each teacher it depends upon two factors: 1. the step the teacher is on, and 2. the degrees the teacher has. For example, a new teacher with a Bachelor's degree on Step 2, would move to Step 3 and get a 5.1% increase next year. A teacher on Step 13, with a Masters degree, would get a 2.5% increase, as teachers already on the top step do not get a step increase. Thus, not all teachers receive the same raise.
That said, this year's contract includes a 2.59% general wage increase. BUT, as I explained above, changes in step and changes in degree are significant. When those changes are factored into the equation, there is a 4.9% step and general wage increase overall. In our budget the increase will appear as a 3.12% increase in teacher salaries because that includes reductions in teaching positions.
Only personnel covered by the EAC teachers' contract have been considered here. We also have union contracts with administrators, custodians, and secretaries.
Your next two questions are much easier to answer. We are in year two of a four year contract with the teachers' bargaining unit. There is no clause in the contract covering a freeze in either steps or general wages. To do so would require both sides agreeing to reopen the contract.
Have both sides discussed the potential of reopening the teacher contract?
ReplyDeleteThe Superintendent, Kevin Case, and Board of Education Chair, Lou Daniels, met with the heads of all the unions (teachers, custodians, administrators, and secretaries) and asked them to consider reopening their contracts. The meeting was positive and all unions understand the difficult times ahead. No offers or decisions were expected or came out of this initial meeting. The Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Business Manager offered to freeze their salaries this coming year.
ReplyDelete