CCS School Board Adopts Budget on 3-2 Vote
by Nancy Wood

The $7,119,583 budget for 2010-2011 was adopted by the CCS Board at their meeting Tuesday night, January 20, is 1.65% less than the current budget. It eliminates a 5/6 grade teacher, and removes $76,762 from middle school literacy, $8,894 in drama stipends, and about $30,000 in supplies. In exchange it includes the first payment of $164,706 on the $2.8 million bond passed in November for “bare bones” reconstruction at the school. It also includes increases for repairs and maintenance, efficiency initiatives, technology and a $10,000 food service subsidy.

Several programs strongly supported by parents and teachers were preserved, including the Four Winds science program that with volunteers serves about 250 students annually, the B teams, CSSU-CY Mentoring and regular ed summer school.

The vote was supported by Board Chair Patrice Machavern, and members Lynn Jaunich and Dan Luce. Patrice described the lengthy process and difficult choices made in arriving at the final figures, summing up the process, “It’s tough.” Lynn indicated, “My job is to listen, to learn, and to lead.” She said, “We can’t afford to keep the status quo,” and suggested that in the future other funding sources such as grants should be sought.

Board member Sue Thibault voted against the budget because she objected to the reduction in the 5/6 grade staff. She said it was based on a plan developed several years ago that anticipated a reduction in the number of students but said, “Enrollment is not declining. I’d be proud to pass a budget with a 0% increase.”

Board member Clyde Baldwin supported the elimination of the teacher, but voted against the budget because it didn’t go far enough. Speaking of the state’s financial condition and downward pressure on school budgets, he said, “If you think it’s bad now, it’s going to get significantly worse.” He spoke against the inclusion in the budget of funding for two principals. “Nowhere in the world are people increasing administrative oversight.”

Dick Hess, who has been serving as a “budget buddy” to the school said it would save $20,000 if there were only one principal and one assistant principal. “If we hire the right person, they should be able to do the job.”

A number of parents spoke out during the budget hearing against the reduction in 5/6 grade staff. Kelly Devine pointed out that it would have the greatest impact on the same small group of children who were affected by a previous staff cut. “It would be more fair if it were based across the population of the school.”

Several people advocated for cuts in the buses rather than the teaching staff, and expressed frustration that the issue has been raised a number of times with no action by the Board. Rowan Hardy said, “The whole bus thing is like ground hog day. We don’t want to lose a teacher…you’ve got to make the decisions.”

School Board member Lynn Jaunich responded that she had asked repeatedly for information about the impact of cuts in the bus schedule, and had not received it. “I can’t promise the community we could save a teacher…I don’t know how much we’d save.”

The budget will be voted by Australian ballot on Town Meeting Day, Tuesday, March 2, 2010. Due mostly to the expected increase in the statewide property tax and a reduction in anticipated revenues, it would require a 7.2% increase in property taxes for CCS. Teacher Tom Scatchard suggested that property tax rebates based on income would have a “softening aspect for people who would be hit hardest.”

The CVU School Board has proposed a 1.53% increase in its budget for 2010-2011. The tax consequences of that budget were not available at the CCS Board meeting.