Approved Budget

by Lynn K. McMullin

On Monday, May 11th, at the Town Budget Meeting the town voters passed the proposed town budget; 106 voted in support, 13 opposed. The mill rate was set at 25.64

The school budget passed with a 1.19% increase, as follows: (decreases in the budget are in red and in parentheses.)

Salaries $273,055
Employee Benefits $227,917
Out-of-District Tuition $107,908
Other Operational ($ 33,494)
Dues and Fees $ 2,133
Capital Improvement Projects $ 70,262
Equipment and Furniture ($ 24,750)Heat Energy ($ 61,203)Supplies ($ 10,094)Technology ($ 93,946)
Board of Finance additional Reduction to Budget ($195,000)
2008-2009 Approved Budget $22,021,023
Total Operating Budget Increase 1.19% $ 262,788

Total Budget $22,283,811

This proposed budget:
Ø Reflects an additional decrease of $195,000 as directed by the Board of Finance. Specific line-item reductions will be determined by the Board of Education.
Ø Reflects services to 1,811 students, an increase of 46 students from the district’s actual enrollment in 2008-2009.
Ø Maintains appropriate class sizes in Grades K-8. All projected class sizes, K-12, for 2009-2010 are within the established guidelines as set by the Board of Education.
Ø Includes the implementation of a Participation Fee for athletics to fund the cost of the athletic trainer and other associated athletic costs.
Ø Does not fund the replacement of computers, laser printers, and other hardware to replace aging equipment per our district’s technology plan or fund any new technology.
Ø Provides services for 18 students placed out of the district. These tuition and transportation costs represent a 25.54% increase over this year’s budget.
Ø Includes funding for an additional Grade 2 Teacher at Cherry Brook Primary School to meet growing enrollment needs.
Ø Reflects a .5 reduction in the ACT Program at Canton Intermediate School.
Ø Reflects the decrease of 7 special education paraprofessionals at Canton Intermediate School and 3 special education paraprofessionals at Canton Middle School based upon the projected needs of the students and a different model for delivering support services.
Ø Reflects the reduction of a .5 Special Education Teacher at Cherry Brook Primary School based upon student needs.
Ø Reflects the equivalent of a decrease of 1.0 FTE position in the maintenance/custodial areas.
Ø Reflects the decrease of the Director of Physical Plant position from .7 to .5 FTE.

Feel free to ask questions or comment on the school budget. Your input is valued.