News from the Superintendent's Office

Superintendent's Budget 2009

02/25/08

The newspaper headlines of the past twenty-four hours have been interesting. Reporters have chosen to utilize the 13.28% increase in the budget as their headline instead of looking at all the facts. What does this all mean? In the next few weeks, a great deal of discussion will revolve around what is perceived about the proposed fiscal year 2009 budget request that is now being reviewed by the Cape Elizabeth’s School Board.

In order to understand the budget, you must look at several aspects of the financial discussions.

#1. The total budget to operate schools in Cape Elizabeth for this fiscal year was $18,791,623 which represented a 3.0% increase over the 2006-2007 budget level.

#2. An initial review of the budget proposal for 2008-2009 showed that if we looked at what we currently have with some changes in enrollment, with the salaries and benefits increase for all staff at $821,984, plus increased energy costs for oil and electricity of $132,200 and gasoline at $15,250, we had an initial increase in the budget of 5.2%.

#3. Increases in the budget focused on Capital Improvements, field trips, contingency, technology equipment, textbooks, classroom equipment, technology software staff development, contracted services, classroom supplies athletic budget, and custodial supplies and decreases in P.A.T.H.S tuition, debt service, high school stipend, sewer fees, postage, and athletic purchases services represent an extra 2.27% to make the increase 7.47%. That is the level our budget is estimated at, at this time.

#4. Early in the budget planning process, there were discussions with the School Board regarding needs to be considered. The leadership team (principals, assistant principals, instructional support director. curriculum and professional development directors, technology director, and athletic director) was asked to make these lists, with costs, and to add them to the budget process. I was asked not to cut those totals. That list has been made and that list’s dollar amount is added to the end of the budget, but not itemized in the budget, at $1,090,599. With these additions, the total increase in the budget I presented to the School Board is 13.28% This section of the proposed budget was developed by me and the leadership team after discussions with School Board members. The purpose is to allow the district to move forward educationally and make strong progress in our work towards meeting the strategic goals and objectives of our school system as we prepare our students who will need to meet the demands of the Twenty-first Century.

#5. The members of the Town Council have not set a spending limit at this point in time. When that is done, the School Board and I will have to make the careful decisions about the final spending budget for 2008-2009.

#6. What do we have at this time?
a. A budget with an increase of 5.2% to maintain salaries and benefits and energy costs
b. An increased budget of 2.27% to other needed items for a total of 7.47%.
c. A list of recommendations for the school system that would allow the district to move forward and embrace the goals in its strategic plan, resulting in a total budget increase of 13.28%.

At meetings on Tuesday, February 26th and Tuesday, March 4th the School Board, leadership team, and I will be working together to make decisions on the budget process.
These meetings will be from 7:00 to 9:30 P.M. in the Cape Elizabeth High School Library. You are invited to attend these budget meetings and to offer input.

Our entire budget, including the in-depth work completed by each administrator, can be found on our website at www.cape.k12.me.us . Go to the article on the budget in the news section and it will take you to the actual budget documents.