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03/21/07
School budget proposal looks to strengthen current
programs
Superintendent Alan Hawkins has recommended a $19 million school budget for
2007-2008, 4.28 percent higher than this year's.
The lion's share of the $780,281 increase is a $620,772 increase in salaries
and benefits for current employees.
"As we did last year, the leadership team focused on three components of
an effective system," said Hawkins in his budget message to the board. Those
components include continuing successful programs; eliminating programs that
have not helped students; and, adding programs that have potential for helping
students.
"As we have looked at all three components listed above, we have been able
to develop a budget that does not create any new programs but works to enhance
and strengthen our current programs," his budget message says.
The School Board took their first look at the proposed budget at a workshop
March 20, and will delve more deeply into the proposal in a daylong workshop
beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 24, in the Town Hall chamber.
All budget workshops are open to the public and public comment will be taken.
Hawkins said the budget supplements strong classroom programs with attention
to early literacy at Pond Cove, support for Middle School students in certain
content areas, and maintaining the proven strength of the Achievement Center
at the High School.
Included in his budget message is a list of unfunded areas of concern as
the School Board formulates spending for the future. These concerns include
replacement of the artificial turf field at the High School; padding for
a fence around the turf field; and, additional coaching positions that have
been recommended by the athletic director.
The board will also be wrestling with class sizes; and, whether to address
the need for a full-time nurse at each of the district's three schools. Currently
the services of two full-time nurses are supplemented by a secretary and
an educational technician, but the New England Association of Schools and
Colleges, in their accreditation report to Cape Elizabeth High School,
recommended full-time certified nursing to the district.
None of the concerns have been funded in the budget proposal, Hawkins said.
The school budget, as proposed, looks to add 51 cents to the tax rate, bringing
the education portion of the current $16.16 rate to $12.10 per $1,000 of
assessed valuation, an increase of 4.44 percent.
Other items responsible for major changes in the school budget are classroom
furniture, $33,000; maintenance, $28,500; and, staff development, $24,453.
The athletic budget is also contributing a total of $24,478 for professional
services, equipment, team travel and officials' fees.
Hawkins said the budget increase would have been 5.2 percent if not for moving
$168,550 in anticipated expenditures to a bond issue that Town Manager Michael
McGovern is proposing for the spring of 2008. The bond would fund security
items for school building safety, and replacement of large windows in the
1930s building at the Middle School. The total $2.25 million bond being proposed
would also fund town infrastructure projects and a traffic light at the High
School entrance.
After their budget workshop March 24, the School Board is scheduled to further
discuss the budget in a workshop March 27, if needed; and to approve the
school budget at their April 10 meeting. The board on April 23 will present
the budget to the Finance Committee, a committee of the whole Town Council,
which will review the school budget April 25.
The public hearing on combined school, town, county and Community Serices
budgets will be May 7, with approval set for May 14.
For a complete list of budget workshops, please see the
special budget section on this website.
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