Details to follow, but the Board of Education's preliminary spending plan seeks 7.1 percent more funding, with the vast majority of the extra money needed simply to keep doing what it's doing now.
It would need $103.3 million in the next fiscal year instead of the $96 million it received this time around.
As part of the increase, the board's finance committee is considering the creation of a handful of new positions, including two psychologists, four assistant principals, a math coach and a special education teacher.
They're also eyeing a part-time communications coordinator, an online substitute teacher program, more after-school help for students, classroom libraries for O'Connell School and other initiatives aimed at improving the district's educational offerings.
Nothing has been approved by the committee, the school board or the city's Board of Finance yet. But expect a serious debate about the proposal over the next couple of months.
By the way, the committee intends to take action at its next meeting at noon on Monday, Feb. 25. The meeting will probably be in the same room where the school board holds its monthly sessions.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
7 comments:
7.1% hike without a clear plan. NICE !! I want a clear plan before I give the school board my money!!
TOO MUCH!!!!!
how come our department was told not to go over 5% for the next budget but it never applies to the school stuff?
to the 11:11 poster. FYI there is a difference between departments. First, the state reimburses BOE significantly whereas your budget probably is not. Secondly, most city departments do not factor in the cost of healthcare which is rising at almost a 9% whereas the boe budget does. You really are not comparing the same when you compare boe and other city departments. Also notwithstanding the above, the social problems the BOE is confronted with are much more substantial than any other city department, in my opinion
11:11 - thanks for the unbiased opinion Mr. O'Brien
reply to 11:11
I wish I was Obrien but I'm not. He is smarter than me, more articulate and probably has more money!
Most city departments do no "pay" for the space they use, and the cost to maintain it. That includes utilities, maintenace staff, heating oil etc. Health care is a general city item, as is teh cost of any money borroed.
The BOE budget includes and is affected by all of those.
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