Budget Presentation of March 24, 2010

Superintendent Eric Ely reviewed the starting point for the 2010-11 budget. (See March 10 budget recap).

The superintendent presented a comprehensive chart outlining most district programs, the number of students in each program, number of employees staffing the program and estimated cost. 
PowerPoint Presentation

Superintendent Ely said he plans to present a budget next Wednesday (March 31).  There are few outstanding issues that he hopes will be clarified or resolved by that time.  These include:

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) (Stimulus)
This is money that replaced the state aid that was taken away.  The district saved $12.3 million using ARRA money.  Need clarification on rules.  It was understood that the actual positions that were saved  with stimulus funding in 2009-10 can't be cut under the ARRA guidelines.  The rules may have changed in that ARRA must cover a certain amount of payroll not the specific jobs.  The superintendent hopes to have clarification by March 31 meeting.

Contract for Excellence (C4E)
About $17 million is Contract for Excellence money.  As it stood, the district could not cut from the Contract for Excellence.  The district was only allowed to cut by the same percentage that state aid is decreased.  Superintendent Ely said this may change and the district might be able to cut more out of C4E.

Health Insurance Cost
Superintendent Ely is not sure what the impact of the health insurance legislation will have.  He explained there is definitely savings if the district goes from community to experience rated plan.  He will compile numbers.

Impact of the closure of New Covenant Charter School
Eighty-nine Schenectady students attend the charter school at $10,200 per student.  There is a $2,000 increase in tuition built in to the rollover budget.  Right now, the district does not know how many of the charter school students will return to the district.  A committee is being formed to reach out to the families.

Superintendent Ely said the only information he has to go on right now is the Governor's budget.  He said if he doesn't have more information next week, he will have to use what he has which he said is "a pretty bad scenario." 

Topics of Discussion
Superintendent Answers, Remarks, Follow-Up

Available Unreserved/Undesignated Fund Balance
(Pg. 3 of presentation)
Superintendent Ely said he does not recommend using more than 50% which is $4.7 million. He said he will be conservative as he is concerned about 2011-2012 when the stimulus money goes away.

If classes are cut, where do the teachers go?
If not saved through attrition, teachers would have to be laid off.  Lowest person in seniority in the area would be laid off.  Superintendent did point out that it's not that simple.  (Mandated vs. Non-Mandated) For example, if a non-mandated science class is cut, the students taking that class will be placed in another science class.  Sometimes have to add more sections, more teachers.  The savings then wouldn't be as it originally seemed.  The superintendent said there will however be cuts based on class enrollment.

Young Scholars
The board requested a breakdown of students by elementary and middle level.

BOCES Vocational Program
129 students?  Is that enrollment or certification?
Superintendent Ely said it the number of juniors and seniors enrolled.
They take the two year program which qualifies them for certificate.

The reimbursement rate for BOCES students in vocational program is between 70-80% depending on the program.  The district pays for transportation but that is reimbursable.  Superintendent Ely pointed out that when you pull services away from BOCES you pull the aid for the following year.

What program are the students in at BOCES?  Are these students aware of program at the Career Center?  The superintendent pointed out that the guidance counselors do a good job of showing students opportunities.  He said the programs are unique and there is not much duplication (Career Center and BOCES).

Board requested a breakdown of where the students are going.

Costs Associated with Security
The district has 1 chief of security, 8 school safety officers (four of whom are funded through a grant), and 2 police resource officers (at SHS).  The two police resource officers weren't included in the presentation.  Superintendent Ely was not certain if the four safety officers had to be tied to a specified building (depends on the language of the grant).  He is going to review and get specifics. 

Outsourcing
The superintendent said the district has to be careful of outsourcing as it could be a violation of contracts. Needs closer review.

Blodgett Elementary School
If Blodgett closed.... and the district considered relocating the Blodgett students and got half of the charter school students back, would the district find space for all kids?  Blodgett was on the list because it is a leased building with the fewest students.  Closing a school is not necessarily a solution. 

The superintendent said the district should plan on 904 kindergarteners in the fall.   The district usually sees a bump in the beginning of the year which usually falls back.  This year, the district did not see a significant drop in kindergarteners. Over last five years, kindergarten classes were around 830, this year it was 100 students more. 

If district experiences unanticipated enrollment bump, it will affect class size. 

Freshmen Athletic Teams
What are the benefits?
Superintendent Ely said one of the main benefits is the students are competing against other students their own age and size.  There are only one or two sports teams that have freshmen teams.  The superintendent will provide freshmen teams and numbers at the next meeting.

Cut spending instead of people
Instead of looking at cutting programs or staff, Maxine Brisport suggested looking at different ways to cut expenditures.  She pointed to the paper used at board of education meetings as an example and suggested reducing paper and printer toner use.  Communicate online as much as possible before and after meetings.  Parents who have Home Access Center should have option of opting out of paper deliverable (report cards, interims, newsletters etc.)  She also suggested that teachers ask students to email research papers and they email assignments instead of handing out paper.  She said this could also benefit the environment.

She asked the superintendent to find out how much the district spends on paper.  He thought it was around $250K but said it could be more.

She suggested looking at ways to bring revenue into the district but also pointed out that schools are restricted in how they can raise money.

Professional Development
Is it possible to combine costs with other districts?  For example - if districts are using same speaker.  The superintendent said the district does do that when possible and if the days are aligned.  Sometimes it's not possible as some districts have different focus than that of urban school.

Feedback
The superintendent said he received about 50 pages of suggestions from teachers, staff, parents, community members.  He is still reviewing many of them.  He also said other superintendents have shared ideas that they are implemented or have worked.

Superintendent Ely said he hope to have much more information for the next meeting.

Questions and Comments

Superintendent Ely said he welcomes questions and suggestions. Please email elye@schenectady.k12.ny

A question and answer page will soon be posted on the district website.

Next Meeting
The next meeting is March 31, 7 p.m. in the Mont Pleasant Middle School Auditorium.