Schalmont district officials not only stayed within a tax cap of 2.33 percent for next school year’s budget, it came below the often-advertised 2 percent limit.
The Schalmont Board of Education on Monday, April 16, unanimously adopted a $42.9 million 2012-13 budget that increases spending by $155,000, or 0.37 percent. The budget includes the elimination of 8.23 full-time equivalent employee positions.
Board President Sandra Beloncik, board Vice President Gregory Campoli and member Kevin Thompson were absent from the meeting.
An increase in state aid projections totaling more than $161,000 was used to restore the elementary school summer literacy program previously slated for elimination. The remainder of the aid will be used to offset fund reserve usage.
Board member Michael Della Villa said he was proud of the board’s work to keep the tax rate “as low as possible” without losing academic programs.
“I think this particular budget is a very good budget,” Della Villa said.
Fellow member Albert Falcone echoed Della Villa and said he is pleased there weren’t any cuts to programs.
“Every year it is going to get harder and harder, so we just stay focused and continue to do the job we are all doing,” Falcone said.
Constant drops in enrollment have driven changes at the elementary school level, with only one of three schools remaining open after merging to Jefferson this school year. The best-case scenario for the district is for enrollment to stabilize and not continue declining, said Superintendent Valerie Kelsey.
The current school year enrollment fell below estimates with 1,877 students enrolled as opposed to the projected 1,895. The projected enrollment for the 2012-13 school year is 1,874 students. Kelsey previously said she expects the district to fall below next year’s estimates.
Declining enrollment have led to reductions in teaching staff, with the adopted budget eliminating two full-time equivalent positions. Those reductions include several minor cuts to nine positions, which are reduced from 0.2 FTE to 0.5 FTE.
Administration at the middle and high school is reduced by 0.6 FTE through restructuring of duties.
Support staff holds the largest reduction at 5.63 FTE, which includes reducing library and teacher aides district wide by 3.25 FTE, high school security personnel reduced by one FTE, maintenance personnel by 0.2 FTE and reducing hall and bus monitors by 1.18 FTE.
Board member Robert Sheehan said surrounding school district have had to make more drastic cuts, but Schalmont officials have made an effort to remain fiscally sound.
“This is going to be a fairly good year budget-wise for Schalmont,” Sheehan said. “I really can’t turn around and say next year or the year after that is going to be any easier, not that this was easy, but we were able to get by. Next year and the year following and the year following that might be even much more difficult.”
The board gathered community feedback at Budget Advisory Committee meetings, surveys and through other means when developing the budget, too, said Beloncik.
“We are mindful of the economic challenges facing the community, thanks to their input, and are committed to keeping expenses in line with our educational priorities and the state’s standards,” Beloncik said in a prepared statement.
District residents will vote on the 2012-13 budget on Tuesday, May 15, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the high school’s new gym foyer. For more information on the budget and the upcoming vote, visit www.Schalmont.org.
Residents will also vote on a proposition to purchase three new 65-passenger buses, two new 32-passenger buses and chains to repair a full-size bus. The purchases wouldn’t impact next year’s budget proposal.
There are four Board of Education candidates running for election. Residents can learn more about the candidates during a “Meet the Candidate” night on Monday, April 23, at 7 p.m. in the Schalmont Middle School LGI.
