This week, I'm "lending" my blog to Superintendent Kevin Case so you will have the chance to read his full budget message. Next Friday, I'm planning to share with you some really interesting details from a class at the high school which I observed today. It was great to see what these kids had done, so I'm excited to tell you about it! In the meantime, here's Kevin's letter...
Dear Canton Residents,
The proposed 2010-2011 budget seeks a 0% increase over this current year’s spending. We have approached the development of this budget responsibly, recognizing the extraordinarily difficult economic times and the fiscal constraint of the town, while maintaining our obligation to meet the individual needs of the students in the Canton Public Schools.
Contractual obligations related to employee salary and benefits along with increased costs in utilities, out-of-district tuition, and transportation accounted for a $928,545, or a 4.17% increase over this year’s spending. Administrators’ budget requests totaled $359,809 or a 1.61% increase. Thus, combined increases totaled $1,288,354, representing an increase of 5.78%.
Although every administrative request was justifiable, I worked to reduce each area of the budget possible, reducing the budget by over $855,433. There are reductions in the area of instructional supplies, equipment, and professional development. No new requested staffing positions were part of this budget proposal.
On February 9, 2010, I presented a proposed budget request to the Board of Education with an increase of $432,912 or 1.94%. The Board of Education’s Finance Subcommittee met several times to review my proposed budget. Every line item and personnel position in the District was reviewed carefully. On March 4, 2010, the Board of Education voted to reduce the budget further by reducing funds in various line items where more accurate information had been obtained, such as in workers’ compensation and transportation fuel. Reductions were also made in the utilities line items, as we will be challenging the staff and students in each of our buildings to conserve energy more than ever before through various activities. We also continue to implement energy conservation measures wherever possible.
The following personnel changes were also made:
• Elimination of .5 FTE Director of Physical Plant
• Reduction of .5 FTE Library/Media Specialist
• Reduction of .5 Custodian
• Elimination of four paraeducator positions
• Reduction in secretarial support
This budget development process required extra attention this year from start to finish, as each request and line item was scrutinized as never before. If additional cuts are made, existing non-certified and certified staff and programs will be affected, which would greatly diminish the quality of our school system. We wish to see the Canton Public Schools continuously improve by providing the highest quality educational experiences and opportunities for our students. It is our hope that you will support this budget as submitted.
Sincerely,
Kevin D. Case
Superintendent of Schools
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What was the thinking behind cutting the full-time library media specialists at Cherry Brook and Canton Intermediate schools to part-time positions?
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me mention that the full-time Library Media Specialist was not cut at either CIS or CBPS. The Library Media position at CIS was reduced to .5, or half-time. At CBPS, the Library Media Specialist position was changed to add enrichment program components to her responsibilities. She is actually very excited about this change. (CIS already has a .5 ACT enrichment program which has been retained.) Thus, at both schools, we are able to maintain library services, as well as offer enrichment programming.
ReplyDeleteA lot of discussion went into this decision, but to summarize the debate, I would say the main reason for this reduction is a determination to preserve our classroom teachers who have the direct responsibility for educating our students day-to-day. (I do realize Library Media Specialists are teachers too; but I think you know what I mean by this.)
When the teacher's contracts and benefits are fixed and transportation and utilities increases are beyond our control, there are simply not many budget lines to reduce; a $5,000 cut here, a $5,000 cut there does not add up very quickly when you need a $1.2 million cut to get to a 0% increase.
A strong argument has been made that we need a full-time Library Media Specialist at each building to help students become 21st-century- ready in their Internet skills. I'd like to assure you that both CBPS and CIS have a controlled Internet and students only use pre-selected sites. In school, Internet research does not begin until 7th grade.
Hope this helps.