Politics & Government
School Committee Voted to Eliminate 12 Positions to Balance Budget
School committee voted to eliminate staff and estimated it may need to request the town for 4-percent more in appropriations to balance the 2012/2013 budget due to higher expenses and less funding.
The school committee reported it may require a 4-percent increase of municipal appropriations in order to maintain the same level of programs during a 2012-2013 budget workshop on held on Thursday evening. The preliminary budget includes a school staff reduction of 12 positions, that will save $472,550 over the fiscal year.
During regularly scheduled committee meeting that directly followed the budget workshop, the committee voted unanimously to eliminate the positions effective the end of the 2011-2012 school year.
“As a school committee member, this is the toughest point in time,” said William R. O'Connell. “I certainly hope we will be able to bring them back."
Business Manager Raquel Pellerin stated the preliminary budget was made with assumptions based on unknowns regarding the Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan, the Governor’s budget and the funding formula that includes data such as projected enrollment.
The budget must include funding for these mandated changes in school programs:
- School districts will pay a percentage of the tuition for students who elect to attend state charter schools. Previously, there was no cost to local taxpayers for these students.
- Mandates by the RI Department of Education such as: RIDE Strategic Plan/Race to the to, Basic education program regulations (BEP), Middle and High School reform regulations (graduation requirements and literacy requirements) and career/technical center requirements such as programming and direct educational services.
- Response to Intervention (RTI) assessment screening data, progress monitoring, academic interventions and positive behavior intervention and support
The school committee identified the following budgetary concerns:
- Reduction in state aid by approximately $108,000
- Reduction in medicaid reimbursement by approximately $41,000
- Reduction in defense funding provided to school for students impacted by military. Possible reduction is approximately $86,000.
- A 1.18-percent increase in retirement pension for certified staff will cost approximately $189,000
- A .89-percent increase in retirement pension for non-certified staff will cost approximately $26,000
- A 12-percent increase in medical premiums will cost approximately $308,000
- A 3-percent increase in dental premiums will cost approximately $6,000
- OPEB payment will be $22,218
The committee will vote on the final budget on March 15 during the next regularly schedule school committee meeting.
