Budget settlement and follow-up
May 21st
After a full month of multi-faceted work tied to the defeated budget process, we have a 2007-08 budget that has been approved by both municipal councils and the Board of Education.
First, the facts:
The budget proposal that went to the voters has been reduced by $1,050,000.
That cut will take a toll for many years to come as the reduced amount is now the base for future budgets as well as the 07-08 school budget. No governing body wanted to make cuts that eliminated or significantly curtailed current programs or learning opportunities for students. To go beyond the agreed upon amount would have moved us into staff and program reductions.
The adjustments made to the budget include reductions in expenditures in the following areas:
• New hires: $115,420 in salaries
• Capital projects (building maintenance): $117,000
• Equipment purchases: $100,000
• Current and proposed stipends ( to be determined) $45,000
• No expansion of Japanese : $12,000
• Athletics: $16,000
• Professional development: $30,000
• Supplies: $20,000
• Advertising: $5,000
• Special education (defer high school autism class) : $125,000
• Elementary teaching position : $60,000
Additionally, $279,580 of special education aid dollars will be put toward the total reduction as well as $125,000 in 06-07 fund balance dollars.
As detailed plans unfold and the Board discusses priorities in the weeks ahead, there may be shifts in the line items identified above.
Second, the longer view:
As you may recall, the budget was defeated by a margin of 43 votes. Yes, a defeat is a defeat if only by one vote. But through different lenses, here are some stats: the cuts represent approximately $24,500 per vote in the margin between rejection and approval; the cuts are equivalent to approximately $300 per student Pk-12; the cuts are equivalent to approximately $ 1700 per employee or $ 2900 per certificated staff member. I put the cuts in these terms only to help convey the magnitude of a defeated budget even if it does not…this time…eliminate programs.
The new state legislation that holds the tax levy to a 4% max or cap is going to present a SIGNIFICANT challenge to every public school district, including Princeton. In the next months, there will be many discussions about increasing our revenue centers, conserving dollars in areas of energy and insurances, and approaching all aspects of our 75 million dollar organization via a frame of efficiency. Throughout all of our work, our goals will be to maintain levels of excellence while continuing to grow and improve as a teaching and learning organization. I have no doubt that we will meet these challenges!
Judy Wilson
Superintendent
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