Region 9 Proposes 3.34% Increase

Administration proposed a 3.34 percent budget increase for the 2011-2012 school year for the Region 9 district. The proposed budget — $21,921,434 — is up more than $700,000 from the current budget.

At the board's meeting Tuesday night, Thomas McMorran, principal of , introduced the budget. McMorran said the school anticipates an increased enrollment of 50 students next year, as well as a reduction of $87,000 of state and federal assistance. 

Budget drivers

Contractual salary obligations were the biggest budget driver, clocking in at $364,754, an increase of 1.71 percent from the 2010-2011 budget. Health insurance costs rose an additional $124,925, special education transportation increased $105,031, workman's compensation increased $26,000, utilities increased $25,912 and support staff pension contributions increased $14,074.

New additions to the budget included: an increase of guidance and support services to full-time, purchases of new textbooks, 14 Kindles, eight digital cameras and 16 Yamaha guitars (for a new guitar program), the addition of reading comprehension assessment software called Lexile, increases in the coaching staff for select sports, special education services, improved wireless networking, the video taping of school board meetings, upgrading a bookkeeper to full-time status, a 60-day New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) High School Reform Coordinator, increased conference and travel services for staff members, a professional evaluation of the school’s electrical systems in its stadium and a transfer to the capital reserve fund. The total cost of these additions is $241,548.

Restoration of certain staff positions and programs totaling $68,252 were also asked for. They include: an increase in art/technology teacher to full-time status, restoration of a part-time guidance secretary, restoration of summer days for counselors to adjust to student schedules, increased curriculum programs in the arts and sciences, increases in conferences and travel to math and science AP programs and a restoration of student activities such as a model United Nations.

The board also reported it trimmed $331,675 out of the budget, which helps offset the aforementioned $87,000 subtraction of traditional state and federal aid.

Reasons for the budget

Currently, the guidance counsler works four days a week, and McMorran stated that it would be well advised to upgrade her position to full time.

The new Lexile reading comprehension “will really help us with our diagnoses,” improving upon the CAPT examination, said McMorran.

The bookkeeper “has saved us thousands and thousands of dollars a year, [and] it would be fair to pay her a full week’s salary for a full week’s work,” said McMorran, indicating that the bookkeeper often takes home work for her currently part-time job.

Last year the capital reserve was set at $1; this year, the board wishes to bring it back to its regular $50,000 state.

There are some new classes and activities coming in next year, too.

“We’re forming a robotics club next year,” said McMorran.  

As for the Yamaha guitars, McMorran said that the plan would be that “eventually, students will bring in their own guitars.”

Travel expenses are aimed to further educate the JBHS staff by having them attend cutting edge meetings.

“[We are trying] not to be too inner-focused in our approach; we need to get people out there for the bigger conversations,” said McMorran.

A healthy pension fund

There was good news for the pension fund.

“We are ahead of the present value of accumulated benefits; our current funding value is at 104%,” said board member Leon Karvelis. “The market seems to be doing very well.”

A thanks to the teachers

The board made a special thanks to all of the teachers and support staff during this trying winter and the rescinded February vacation.

“The teachers have really made huge efforts to be here” during the previously scheduled February vacation, said McMorran.

“The teachers are really stepping up [and] the support staff jumped in just as quickly,” echoed Superintendent Michael Cichetti.

The meeting was recorded and will be available on ER9.org along with a full budget delineation in the upcoming days. Budget workshops are scheduled for the March 2, March 7 and March 9.