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2003-2004 Budget Line Items
Proposed Tax Rate Calculations
Superintendent's Budget Message

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02/26/03

Lean school budget proposal increases spending 2.75 percent

The School Department's proposed budget for 2003-2004, in the words of the school's superintendent, will keep the learning status quo in place for Cape Elizabeth.

The School Board got its first look at the draft budget in a workshop Feb. 25, and will continue to review the budget in an all-day workshop Saturday, March 1, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Town Hall chamber.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Forcella is proposing a $15.3 million school budget for next year, up $400,000 over this year's, for an increase of 2.75 percent.

However, because of decreased revenues, largely in the form of a $486,000 cut in state aid, the budget proposal is asking a 4 percent increase in the property tax rate. The proposed budget calls for a 68-cent hike in the current $16.65 per thousand dollars of valuation which goes toward education.

For the owner of an average home assessed at $200,000, the proposed school budget would mean a tax bill of $3,465.68 for education next year, an increase of $135.34.

In his message to the School Board, Forcella called the budget a fair representation of the needs of the district in light of the difficult economic times the town is now facing. "The expense side of the budget has been held to a 2.75 percent increase," he said. "This minimal increase allows us to carry on the good work of the school district, but is dangerously close to having a negative impact on our overall program." Forcella said. The budget is relatively flat in terms of new programs and initiatives, and for the second year in a row, staffing needs related to the district's Future Direction Plan have been placed on hold, he said.

Initially the budget presented by administrators called for a less-than-5-percent increase in spending, but that amount was cut to 2.75 percent.

Mandated state and federal programs account for some of the largest increases in the proposed budget. Forcella highlighted special-education, Maine Learning Results and the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (laptop computer initiative).

The largest increase, $49,433, is for a half-time special-ed teacher at Pond Cove Elementary School, and for additional educational-technician support for special-needs students.

Another $36,800 has been budgeted to support the 15-20 percent of Cape students who would otherwise not meet achievement standards set by the Maine Learning Results, in conjunction with the federal No Child Left Behind Act. "Before and after school programs, summer school, and an in-house computer assisted program constitute the bulk of our effort," said Forcella. Teacher stipends will account for $23,000 of this fund, with the remaining $13,800 to be used for supportive computer software.

The third expenditure highlight is $20,000 help pay for support of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative, whereby each seventh- and eighth-grader receives a laptop computer for use during the year. While the 300 computers are free, maintenance and user support comes from the district. The increase in funding would pay for the present educational-technician in the Middle School computer lab to spend half time overseeing and integrating the laptop initiative, and to hire a replacement for the lab.

On the revenue side, the district foresees a revenue shortfall of $689,657, which includes the $486,537 loss in state subsidy. This amount, however, is tempered by a $200,000 savings from a budget freeze last year, resulting in a net projected revenue loss of $489,657.

Forcella said the 2-percent tax increase target provided by the Town Council was a "huge challenge" for budget preparation. The proposed budget contains innovation and cost-saving creativity which Forcella also highlights.

Two programs, he said, will experience a savings due to either a reorganization of thinking, or of how positions are financed.

In the area of psychological services, the district will realize a savings of $19,530 by creating a position to be shared with SAD 51 in Cumberland/North Yarmouth. Previously these mandated services were contracted at a cost approaching $50,000.

Secondly, Pond Cove School will conduct an administrative experiment by not replacing retiring assistant principal Carmen Melito. Principal Tom Eismeier is recommending the institution of a teacher leader position to focus primarily on curriculum, assessment, and professional development, while many of the administrative duties will be distributed among staff members and Eismeier. The savings from not hiring an assistant principal will go to contract for services and to assist in Learning Results work.

"This initiative will help us move in the direction of our Future direction Plan while not costing the district additional dollars," Forcella said. The new system will be evaluated at the end of one year.