Bedford School District Budget Represents 78-Cent Tax Increase

Bedford School Board members, following a Tuesday public hearing, voted to support a proposed budget that represents a $1,479,367 increase over the current fiscal year.

Should voters approve the 2.4-percent hike, taxes are projected to increase 78 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation, or $273 on a $350,000 Bedford home.

School Board member Cindy Chagnon, at the Tuesday meeting, explained the budget fulfills the district's goals of maintaining reasonable class sizes and parity at each Bedford school; provides sufficient resources to meet a growing high school population; meets legal and contractual obligations for all teachers and staff; and helps the district meet and maintain curriculum and assessment standards, which Chagnon noted are above state expectations.

"We feel this is very vital to their preparation for college, work and life," she said.

The budget also accounts for safety improvements.

"We're trying to do even more within our buildings to make sure we're always as safe as we can possibly be, not just for the teachers but of course for the students," said Chagnon.

The school board's budget proposal includes $603,294 for the second year of the Bedford teachers' contract, which was approved in 2013.

The largest increase in the 2015 fiscal year budget, in terms of dollars and cents is $560,805 for contractual benefits, though it represents only a 3.7 percent rise over 2014. The most significant percentage increase in the overall operating budget is a 32.4 percent spike, or $118,078, for technology.

School board members attribute the additional technology funds to software licensing upgrades and the beginning of technology upgrade cycle at the middle and high school. The current computer equipment is seven years old and quickly becoming obsolete, Chagnon explained.

In addition, the district is installing a fiberoptic cable network which will connect Peter Woodbury School, the school district offices, McKelvie Intermediate School, Lurgio Middle School and Bedford High School. The initiative is expected to pay for itself within two years, said school board member Scott Earnshaw.

Overall, 41 cents of the increase is attributed to additional operating budget cost, and 34 cents in based on anticipated decreases to revenue. The remaining three cents is a result of $90,834 for the third year of the contract for Bedford paraprofessionals and staff.

If voters reject the proposed allocation, the default budget - which represents the current year's budget, plus mandatory contractual increases debt and other mandates – is $63,454,132, $686,110 less than the proposed budget.

Following Tuesday's meeting, Bedford Superintendent Tim Mayes provided the following statement for Patch.

"The Board approved a FY2015 proposed budget of $64,140,242 at the conclusion of the budget hearing. The next step in the process will be on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. school board meeting at which time the board will review all 2014 school district warrant articles and determine recommendations for voters. After that, the deliberative session ... Session II ... will be held on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. in the BHS Theater.  This is an opportunity for voters to hear, comment on, and possibly revise each article of the 2014 school district warrant.  Any questions concerning the FY2015 proposed budget may be directed to CFO Dawna Duhamel or Superintendent Tim Mayes."

Watch the full hearing online here.