11/21/08
Estimate of state funding shortfall for Cape schools larger than expected
A preliminary estimate of anticipated curtailments in general purpose aid to education for Cape Elizabeth is nearly double what officials were expecting earlier this week.
The State Department of Education published a spreadsheet listing the curtailments expected for each school system, following announcement of severe revenue shortfalls at the state level.
Cape Elizabeth is slated to receive $421,572 less in state subsidy than was budgeted, according to the preliminary curtailment estimate issued by the state.
In an e-mail message to school staff on Nov. 21, 2008, Superintendent Alan Hawkins called the reduction, approximately 14 percent of the $3 million initially allocated to Cape Elizabeth, "a much larger sum than we had initially expected."
Earlier this week, Hawkins announced a freeze on non-payroll spending in anticipation of the revenue shortfall.
The projected curtailments reflect a $27 million reduction in general purpose aid to education statewide. The reduction will be part of the fiscal year 2009 supplemental budget expected to be voted on in December. "Those decisions will lead to several conclusions with regard to the current FY2009 budget and also implications for FY2010 and FY2011," Hawkins said in his e-mail.
The state has published the prelimary spreadsheet of curtailment estimates, along with other information, on its Web site, http://www.maine.gov/education/data/eps/fy09/eps0809.html
Previous story:
|
