School Board looks to cut $1M
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By Josh O'Gorman Herald Staff - Published: January 10, 2009
SPRINGFIELD — The School Board is soliciting public opinion as they look to cut nearly $1 million from next year's budget.
Thursday night, during the first of three meetings devoted entirely to the proposed fiscal year 2009-10 budget for the Springfield School District, School Board member Larry Kraft advocated "level funding" the operating portion of the budget.
The year's proposed budget of $25,866,667 is $2,383,663, or 10.2 percent, more than the current budget of $23,483,004. Much of the increase stems from payment on the $32.8 million bond approved by voters in November 2006 to improve the town's elementary schools. Excluding the debt payment of $1,462,491, the budget is increasing $921,172, or 3.9 percent, from $23,483,004 to $24,404,176.
With a debt payment that cannot be cut from the budget, Kraft and the board are looking to eliminate the increase in the operating budget, possibly at the expense of current and future staff.
"I know many people, including management at Springfield Hospital, aren't taking raises this year," said Kraft, who is also the director of the Springfield Hospital Foundation.
Board member Marilyn Thompson agreed with Kraft.
"I'm looking for a sacrifice from employees this year," Thompson said.
Salary and benefit increases for District employees make up $513,705 of the proposed $921,705 budget increase, but the teachers in the audience during Thursday's meeting balked at the notion of a pay freeze.
"If I take a pay freeze I will lose my house. I'll have to take another teaching job," said Alison Sylvester, a second-grade teacher at Park Street School.
Board member Sam Coleman said he would prefer to cut new proposed positions before making any cuts to existing staff. New positions under the proposed budget total $323,226.
Another budget item discussed is $77,163 for a Title I teacher. Title I is a federal program to help children in poverty, but an expected reduction in federal aid would require the District to pick up the cost to provide the same level of service.
Lisa Hall, who sits on the budget advisory committee, asked if there was any way to "resolve the needs" of those students so the position would not be needed in the future.
Kraft said the federal grant money allowed the district to have teachers they would not have paid for otherwise.
"Would we have created these positions if they hadn't been free? Probably not," he said.
By freezing salary and benefits, eliminating new positions and cutting the Title I transfer, the budget would be reduced by $914,094, close to the target of $921,172.
Time is running out for the Board to approve a budget. They must sign a warrant no later than Jan. 22 for town meeting March 3.
"It would be nice to know what you're thinking so we can make thoughtful cuts rather than frantic cuts," said Elm Hill School Principal Jonni Nichols.
The Board is looking for input from the public to learn what they would like to see cut from the budget. Friday, they posted a link on the District's Web site, www.ssdvt.org, inviting public comment.
"Because next year's budget must include the first bond payment of $1,462,491.00 on our school construction bond, the board is considering significant reductions in the operations budget," the page reads. "Please tell us what you consider to be vital educational services, other suggestions and creative ideas you have for the proposed budget."
The comments will be given to the Board members before their next budget meeting.
In a symbolic gesture of belt-tightening, the Board voted Thursday to cut the $2,500 budgeted for Board member salaries.
The board will continue budget discussions Monday and Thursday. Both meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in room B118 in the River Valley Technical Center.
Contact Josh O'Gorman at josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com.
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