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Superintendent's Budget Message
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03/01/01
Proposed School Budget exceeds
$14 million
School officials have presented a $14.4 million proposed school budget for
2001-2002, one that carries with it a potential 11.5 percent increase in
the tax rate for schools.
The board will meet from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3, in the Town
Hall chamber to go over the budget in a public workshop.
(Click here for complete school budget workshop
schedule)
Increases to the salary and benefits, required special education positions
and increases in utility costs represent the lion's share of the total budget
increase, said Superintendent Dr. Thomas Forcella in his budget message to
the board.
In addition, the School Department is expecting far fewer general-purpose
aid to education dollars. Because Cape's property values increased at a rate
higher than the state average, Cape Elizabeth is expecting nearly half a
million -- $436,485 -- less in state subsidy than last year.
On Thursday Forcella said he met with representatives from other districts
in Cumberland County, and that there might be some recovery of these lost
funds from the state, but "we will be taking a hit in state aid."
In his budget message, Forcella described the proposed budget as one that
meets the needs set forth by the department's Future Directions Planning
Team. The Future Directions Planning process has worked to set forth long-term
goals for the district in helping it realize its mission, " ... to ensure
that all of our students develop the knowledge, skills, behaviors and attitudes
to become successful individuals and citizens."
Increases in staff and program changes account for $551,793 in new requests,
highlighted by a new, full-time staff development and curriculum facilitator
at a proposed salary of $63,492. The position would be responsible for overseeing
teacher training -- whether through local classes or outside seminars and
workshops -- and also be responsible for documenting, planning, implementing
and evaluating curriculum systemwide.
"The professional development of staff is a major focus area of this budget,"
Forcella said in his budget message. "The curriculum and professional development
action teams reviewed a variety of solutions to this problem and feel adamant
that a district level administrative position is what is required to complete
the task," he said.
Salary and benefit increases from last year's commitment to establish a
competitive salary schedule account for $443,107 of proposed budget increases.
Last year's increase in this area was $594,815. Although Cape is far
from being the top paying school district, Forcella said, after reviewing
teacher's salaries in surrounding communities, "it is my opinion that we
are achieving a competitive level."
Special-ed needs associated with five new students with severe handicaps
entering the district will cost $96,870. And, the budgets for heating oil
and power are being increased a total of $90,147.
The budget as proposed asks a tax-rate for school expenditures of $16.68,
increase of $1.72 (11.5 percent) over this year's rate of $14.96.
Although the proposal is $140,627 lighter than administration originally
proposed, Forcella anticipates further cuts after Saturday's workshop.
