CCS Board Warns Revote for April 6, Reduces Budget by $57,312
Public Hearing on the revised budget is Thursday, April 1, 7 p.m. in the CCS Library.
by Rowan Beck
March 25, 2010, page 1

The CCS School Board has cut an additional $57,312 from the proposed budget for 2010-2011, resulting in a number that is 2.4% less than both the current and prior year budgets. The new budget at $7,062,271 reflects significant cuts of about $400,000 out of operating and transportation expenses. It includes new spending in debt service for the first $167,000 payment on the $2.8 million reconstruction bond.

At a special meeting on March 9, the School Board was faced with the weighty challenge of finding new cuts. After reviewing the budget, the board requested that the teachers and administration revisit earlier recommendations to see if they could find an additional $50,000. The board has never had to deal with a failed budget before and wrestled with finding a practical number, acknowledging that people are really hurting and more reductions needed to be made.

At the board’s regular meeting on March 16, the administration presented $57,312 in reductions. The two biggest components are in risk management and transportation. Two additional teachers, Sue Lavigne and Shelia Aube, after a combined 76 years of service, announced that they are retiring as of June 30. Diane Cote, who also has taught at CCS for over 30 years, had already announced her intention to retire. The “risk management” savings of $29,512 represent the expected differential between their salaries and new faculty. A new kindergarten teacher will be hired to replace Mrs. Lavigne next fall.

Retired Board Chair Patrice Machavern met with Betcha Transit and determined that the school will be able to eliminate a bus and rework the current routes at a saving of $20,300.

Dave Leblanc, head custodian, found savings of $5,000 for lighting. Lynn Jaunich added that she had “worked with Efficiency Vermont on the renovation, and the school would be getting a $6,000 rebate.” Finally, Interim Principal Sandy Jump announced the administration had found an additional $2,800 by flatlining supplies and reducing advertising and other overhead costs. Jaunich then asked if the board was comfortable with the reduced budget number.

Clyde Baldwin said he would be voting against the proposal. “Next year is going to be bad as well, and we are obligated to take out as much as we can.” Dan Luce agreed with the number. “It is more than enough, and I think the community will be satisfied.” Sue Thibault said she “thinks it’s plenty thin.” She was not 100% happy with it, but she was willing to compromise. Her preference had been to reallocate funds and put back in a 5/6 teacher. Kristin Wright, the newest board member, was satisfied. She heard that the teachers felt the cuts were appropriate.

The public voiced some concerns. Jen Zubarick requested that the board “be careful how much and where they cut because they will have to cut again next year.” Other parents wished that the board, faculty, administration and staff would all show a united front with this budget. They worked hard together to reach this number. Karen Doris, director of the Food Shelf, said, “People are really hurting. I have new families from 23 different households.” She requested the school do as much as it can. Jaunich had also received multiple calls and e-mails with a similar message. She said people have “no cushion; are sleeping on rocks. I think $57,312 is a solid number and would not advocate moving back.”

The board met again at 7:30 a.m. on March 18 to hear from Bob Mason, CSSU Chief Operations Officer, about the tax implications and to vote on the proposal. Mason calculated the CCS residential tax rate at $.9501, down from $.9598 with the defeated budget. Despite the fact that the new proposal is a 2.44% reduction from the current year budget, Mason estimates that the residential tax rate for CCS will increase 6.3% over last year. This compares with a 7.25% increase with the defeated budget. When blended with the CVU rate, the residential increase is 5.7%.

Income sensitivity reduces the impact for home- owners who are eligible.

The tax rate increase is due to several factors. The state has increased the statewide property tax rates and is not increasing the per-student grants to school districts. Unlike last year, there is no expected surplus to apply to reduce next year’s budget. And there are no more ARRA (stimulus) funds.

The budget reductions will not affect the non-residential tax rate, which is set by the state and affected only by the local common level of appraisal, not by the actual school budget.

The school board passed the reduced budget on a vote of 4-1, with Clyde Baldwin voting no.

The next hurdle facing the board is getting the word out to the town. The revote is scheduled for April 6, with a public hearing on April 1 at 7 p.m. in the CCS Library. The PTO has agreed to make calls to urge people to vote. It was suggested that the Alert Now system and website also be used to tell parents about the upcoming vote. Superintendent Elaine Pinkney cautioned that all such messages must be impartial, not attempting to sway the vote one way or the other.