03/07/09
Revised revenue predictions result in amended school budget proposal
The School Board, anticipating relief from a curtailment in state funding announced earlier this year, will vote on a proposed 2009-10 budget that is smaller than the one initially presented in February, yet funds more for technology, textbooks and professional development while decreasing significantly the initial proposal for a property tax increase.
The amended, $20.2 million budget presented to the board March 6, 2009 by superintendent Alan Hawkins is $14,745 less than the budget presented a month ago, and $381,007, or 1.93 percent, higher than the current year's budget. The board will vote on the proposal at its meeting March 10, 2009, 7 p.m. in the Town Hall chamber.
The superintendent's initial proposal presented in February was 2 percent higher than this year's, and budgeted $421,000 less in state aid to education, $100,000 less from this year's undesignated funds, and expected $17 million (4 percent) more from local property taxes than this year.
Since that time, President Barack Obama announced a federal stimulus package that includes funding for education. While details about the use of the funds are unclear, state officials anticipate the stimulus money will negate the funding curtailment announced at the end of 2008.
"The current information we have about the stimulus package leads us to believe that the curtailment for FY09 has now been covered. We also understand that the curtailment amount of $421,572 will not be imposed for FY10 and FY11." Hawkins said in a March 6, 2009 memo to the School Board.
Officials are also anticipating new savings in health-insurance costs and heating and diesel fuel, for a total savings of $183,500.
Without the 2009 curtailment, the School Department will be able to budget its usual $250,000 from its undesignated fund balance as revenue for 2010, $100,000 more than was included in the February budget proposal. This restoration, along with the anticipated $421,572 restored state aid and $183,500 cost savings, amount to $705,072.
Of that, $536,317, is being used to lower expected funding from taxation. Under the amended proposal, taxes for education would increase 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, and increase of less than 1 percent (.77 percent). The initial budget proposal would have raised property taxes for education 50 cents, or 4 percent.
"During this current week, we have again calculated our school budget sheet for 2009-2010 and dropped our local property tax increase significantly. My understanding is that I may have another possible decrease next week," Hawkins said in a March 6 blog posting on the School Department's Web site.
"With all of this in mind, the District Leadership Team and I worked on an alternative revision to the initial budget," the posting says. "This budget plan addresses specific needs based on our Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment work, data driven decision-making, and technology-focused instruction resulting from the goals of the School Board," it says.
The amended budget proposes to spend $168,755 from the $183,500 savings on a list of items which move the schools closer to the goals established by the board this year.
Among adjustments is the hiring of three educational technicians - one to serve as "technology integrators" at each of Cape Elizabeth's three schools. Funds for professional development and textbooks have also been added.
Details on the budget amendments can be downloaded here. Hawkins and the School Board also welcome comments on the budget proposal on the superintendent's blog.
More information on the 2009-2010 municipal budget is available on this Web site.
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