The BoardsCorner: Update from CCS and Kindergarten Registration Notice
by Lynne Jaunich, CCS School Board Chair,
November 17, 2011, page 6.....

FY13 Will Be Another Challenging Budget Year

The Charlotte Central School budget season has begun. The School Board initiated the budget process for the 2012-2013 school year (FY13) on November 1 with a community forum and continued this past Tuesday with the presentation of the baseline budget, CSSU purchased services and operations and maintenance requests. The forum was designed to gather the public’s input on their priorities and suggestions for the budget. The baseline budget that was presented is the amount that it would cost to operate the school next year with the same programs and expenses as this year. Having received an initial baseline budget, which shows an increase of 4.57% over the current year budget, the board finds itself in another challenging budget environment.
For the past four years, the CCS School Board has responded to the stark economic atmosphere and declining enrollment by reducing the budget by over 6.5% since 2008. This has resulted in the elimination of numerous positions, including six classroom teachers, a literacy position, half of a Special Education administrator position, part of an art teacher position, part of the technology educator position, the enrichment position, and part of the bookkeeper position as well as the elimination of two bus runs.
The school budget is one of five factors used to determine the local property tax, and the only one over which the School Board has some control. The other factors utilized in the property tax calculation are school enrollment, common level of appraisal (CLA), the base education amount and the state tax rate. While final figures won’t be known until after the New Year, it is widely expected that the Legislature will keep the base education amount flat for the third straight year as well as increase the state tax rate. This will put increasing pressure on the School Board to develop a budget that meets the needs of our students while being affordable to Charlotters.
We encourage Charlotters to become involved now as the budget process unfolds. We will hold four additional budget meetings: Tuesday, December 6 (review of instructional staffing and special education), Tuesday, December 20 (first round of decision packets and tax implications), Tuesday, January 10 (final round of decision packets and tax implications), and Tuesday, January 24 (final budget hearing and approval of warned articles for ballot). All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and take place in the CCS library. We welcome input as to what areas/programs we might consider for reduction or elimination, what areas/programs we should maintain, and at what threshold we no longer would be providing a quality education for our students. If you are unable to attend but would like to provide input, please e-mail the school board at schoolboard@ccsvt.us. Your input is valued.
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2012-2013 Kindergarten Registration
Charlotte Central School

 Charlotte Central School is beginning the budgeting process for the 2012-2013 school year. A big part of that process is determining enrollment. Therefore, CCS would like to get an early count on the incoming kindergarteners for the 2012-2013 school year.
If your child will be 5 years old by September 1, 2012, s/he will be eligible to attend kindergarten at Charlotte Central School. Kindergarten registration for the 2012-2013 school year will take place in late April/early May time frame, but this information will be used for budgeting purposes and as a starting place for the registration process. Once you have called to indicate that your child will be coming to CCS for the 2012-2013 school year, you will be mailed the appropriate registration packet next spring.
Please contact Naomi Strada, CCS School Secretary, at 425-6600 to register.