“Maintaining Our Fine Programs . . . Bringing Excellence to Our Students” was how Dr. Paul Fried introduced the Superintendent’s Recommended Budget for 2008-2009 at the March 4^th study session.  Dr Fried emphasized that the budget is much more than numbers—it is a district’s educational needs put into a spending plan, and enables a district to work towards achieving its educational goals.  He emphasized that it is the story behind the numbers that puts them into perspective. 

Stressing that his budget proposal represents the “first, but not the last, bottom line”, he shared the preliminary 2008-09 budget of $ 120, 983,134 which represents an increase of $10.6 million or 9.57% over last year’s approved budget. The resulting tax rate increase would be 9.85%.  Noting that while it is painful to bring these numbers before the community in these economic times, Dr Fried stated that his 1^st and foremost priority is to maintain an excellent program for the students, adding that central staff and the BOE serve the children and community with passion, commitment, and expertise. He hopes that, as we move through the budget process, the community will think about Who we are—What we want to become—and How we will get there.  It is his expectation that after detailed scrutiny of the budget by the Board and the community, there will be a lowering of the “bottom line.” 

To set the stage for the rest of the evening, Dr Fried reviewed the district goals on student learning, community involvement, and fiscal responsibility. He then asked our three assistant superintendents to speak further about the story behind the numbers and to elaborate on the district’s progress toward meeting this year’s goals. 

Annie Ward, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, spoke of the perennial pillars supporting “excellence for all” that include: promoting a culture of learning; cultivating internal knowledge and expertise; researching best practices; and assessing children’s progress, both individually and collectively. She shared highlights from current programs exemplifying these pillars of excellence such as: the Literacy Design Team; the upgrading of the TERC math program; early intervention initiatives; new assessment tools; the Coaching model of professional development; and collaboration with the Teachers Institute. 

Dr. Anthony Minotti, Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services, continued the story by sharing his goal of reducing costs while maintaining and in some areas improving services to students. His team has focused on finding ways to reallocate resources that will result in district savings.  Areas of concentration are: reducing out-of-district placements, where appropriate; strengthening inclusion practices; creating a cohesive system-wide plan for delivery of assistive technology; and, adding health services to meet increased NYS mandates. Dr. Minotti added that while some of the changes will have associated upfront costs, the savings for the District over the long term should be significant. 

Meryl Rubinstein, Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations, then presented financial highlights of the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget.  She shared that a conservative approach was taken with building and central administrators in developing the budget, including maintaining current class size guidelines; seeking reductions to off-set funds for critical education initiatives; keeping building allocations at the same level; allowing principals more flexibility in building their budgets; allocating funds for equipment based on need; and, requiring justification for each request.  

The largest items driving the budget increase are salaries and benefits, which together are 76% of the budget and account for $8.6MM of the proposed $10.6MM increase.  The increase stems from contractual and mandated cost of living and rate increases, limited additional staffing for higher enrollment, and for what Dr. Fried termed as “critical educational initiatives”.   

The plan calls for a relatively small net increase of $379,000 to meet growing enrollment at the elementary schools.   

The critical educational initiatives are primarily aimed at improving core and remedial programs in order to decrease in-district referrals and placements to the Special Education Program; improving the implementation and coordination of technology for all children and staff; and improving more cost-effective in-district special education services/programs to reduce out-of-district placements for children with disabilities.  

In order to fund these needs, Dr. Fried and District staff identified $1.7MM of reductions, including reducing out of district placements.   

Other critical or required non-staffing related costs contributing to the budget increase include debt service, tax certioraris; the need to purchase three new school busses, an item put off from last year; textbooks; upgrades to computer network infrastructure to prevent failure; and $60,000 for surveillance cameras at the high school. 

Ms. Rubinstein also reminded us that a growing list of unfunded and under-funded state and federal mandates add to the overall financial burden.   In fact, 91% of our budget is either mandated or contractual, leaving only 9% discretionary, to cover items such as supplies and textbooks. 

Ms. Rubinstein noted that a roll-over budget, i.e. one that reflects ONLY mandated and contractual increases, and staffing to meet enrollment, but has no other staffing or infrastructure changes, would only be marginally lower than the Superintendent’s proposed budget.  A roll-over budget would result in a 9.23% budget –to-budget increase, compared with the currently proposed 9.57% increase.  A contingency budget would require a $4.5MM reduction from the Superintendent’s proposed budget.    

In closing, Dr Fried again assured the community that he would be listening carefully to the board and community and, would be working hard with central staff and the building principals to identify further reductions to the proposed budget, while trying hard to keep site of our educational goals. 

The actual presentation was much more detailed than my summary so I encourage you to either watch the full presentation on LMC-TV, read the write-up in the Larchmont Gazette, or take a look at the presentation, which can be found on our website at mamkschools.org, and following the link on the Board of Education page. 

The next meeting will be on Saturday March 15 at 9:00 am where the Board will review the budget line by line.  The community is encouraged to attend and to participate in this important process.