School Board Passes Budget for 2011-12

After adopting a minor revision to the superintendent’s proposed budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year, the passed it by a vote of 5-2, with Republicans Diane Mudge and Lib Brassil Spinella casting the dissenting votes.

Board Chairwoman Clare Kindall opened the budget discussion by stating that “85 percent of the budget cost is for people.” A “hard freeze” – with no step or cost of living wage adjustments – has already been approved by 11 of the 13 unions representing school employees. Approval by the remaining two unions is also anticipated.

Kindall added that because of the unions’ cooperation, programs will not be cut and teachers will not be eliminated. “What is possible tonight is to the credit and benefit of our employees,” she said, adding that most of the increased expenses are attributable to health care costs.

Before the board’s vote, the proposed budget was reduced by $268,500. That reduction included $29,000 in savings – mostly attributable to transportation expenses – resulting from the decision not to hold classes on Monday, June 20, 2011. With high school graduation set for June 16, seniors will still meet the state-mandated 180 days of school and the remainder of the students will have 181 days. The shortened school year will not affect staff members, who will have an in-service day on June 20.

The remainder of the decrease in the budget proposal – a reduction of $239,500 – consists of a drop in the appropriation for heating and electric utilities in 2011-12, attributable to surpluses in prior years. Director of Finance and Planning Chip Ward told the board that total energy consumption costs have been reduced from $3.9 million in 2007-08 to $3.1 million in the current year.

In response to board member Elin Katz’s question about anticipated efficiencies resulting from work by the newly hired energy efficiency expert, Ward said additional savings are expected.

The final budget following the adopted reductions, a total of $133,512,801, represents a 5.4 percent increase over the current year. Because of an accounting anomaly that occurs when state funding replaces some lost federal funding, the budget represents an actual increase of 2.8 percent.

The board also unanimously approved the annual board meeting schedule for 2011-12, with amendments adding a regular meeting on April 3, 2012, and a workshop on Jan. 5, 2012. Suggestions by Elin Katz and Diane Mudge that the board should schedule a meeting to set goals prior to the upcoming school year will be discussed May 3.

In her Superintendent’s Report, Karen List reported that approximately 40 parents, as well as Assistant Superintendent Tom Moore and a representative from the West Hartford Police Department, attended a PTO meeting at  High School last Wednesday that focused on the recent shooting incident involving students from Conard. “I believe that they left the meeting very assured that Conard is a safe place for our students,” List said.

Conard Student Board Representative Jennifer Byrnett echoed that sentiment in her report, stating, “Events that transpired do not at all reflect what I’ve experienced at Conard. I still love Conard.” Byrnett’s report also informed the board of the “smashing success” of the recent musical production of “,” the acceptance of Conard students at every Ivy League University other than Columbia, the success of the Spring Charity Ball, and the involvement of more than 200 students in Unified Theater and 600 students in spring sports. 

High School Student Board Representative Conor Proft reported that Hall is hosting its first talent show – involving both students and faculty – later this week.