FY16 Preliminary Budget Sharon Public Schools � Sharon School Committee Meeting � February 4, 2015 �
From January 21, 2015 � Presented a preliminary budget reflecting a 3.38% increase over and above FY15. � This increase results in a preliminary budget figure (including SNARC) of $39,974,723.58. � Among the administrative recommendations for additions/reductions, several items came to the forefront for discussion, or as expressions of concern, by the Committee and/or the community members present at the meeting. � �
From January 21, 2015 � These items include (but may not include all of the Committee’s concerns): � � SHS Sailing � SHS After School Drama Club � SMS Drama Position � Elementary Foreign Language � Class size at East and Heights � �
Updated Recommendations � Based on a fair amount of administrative discussion, further review of the details as they relate to savings, or not, further discussion as it relates to new programming, and Committee and community feedback, for your consideration I proposed the following revisions to the FY16 Preliminary Budget as presented on January 21, 2015. � SHS Sailing – Instead of transitioning the fall sailing program to the town’s Recreation Department, maintain the fall sailing program in-house, but instead of paying for 50% of the coaching stipends using operational money, shift the expense to the athletic revolving account. The School Department can still realize the anticipated savings of $5774 yet will maintain the fall athletic fees to offset the expense of the coaching stipends. ($5774 Savings) �
Updated Recommendations Add the SHS after school drama stipend back to the operational budget. As presented two weeks ago, transitioning the spring drama stipends to the student activity account is sustainable, but upon further review it is only sustainable for two years until the program could be in deficit if enough revenue is not generated. Therefore, this is not a realistic, long-term resolution. (Add back $8797) �
Updated Recommendations Retain the .8 Drama Teacher at SMS. (Add back $33,473) Build upon last year’s great scheduling work that resulted in: Incorporation of additional FL in grade 6 Parity with regard to time for academic subjects Seven day rotation with smooth and predictable pattern(s) By reviewing and evaluating the entire SMS specialist program, while looking to Reduce content/curricular duplication Maximize progamming that aligns with Common Core and is integrated into core content classes.
Updated Recommendations Since the last meeting, SMS administration has worked hard to come to a more definitive conclusion as to how many sections of grades 6, 7, and 8 foreign language will be needed next year. Consequently, SMS administration indicates a .2 FTE increase in foreign language will be sufficient. (This results in a .2FTE savings of $13,646.) �
Updated Recommendations Elementary Foreign Language Heard feedback about slow and steady, pilots, choice. The is sense that the majority of the Committee is not completely comfortable with the programming as proposed. Therefore, Begin elementary foreign language at one grade level next year, thus reducing the need for 1.8 FTE’s to .9 FTE’s (This results in a .9 FTE savings of $61,409). Continue to devote time to common planning, to curricular creation, and to an evaluation of the program.
Updated Recommendations � Add a section of grade 4 at East (Add back $59,530). Other savings already proposed would pay for this add with small money left over.
Updated Recommendations In-coming fourth grade at Heights Currently four sections of 24 students in each class or 96 students. Currently four sections of fourth grade to receive the in-coming fourth grade at four sections of 24 each. As we did last year, monitor enrollment numbers, student needs, building administration recommendation and potentially use the one contingency teacher to address this issue by late June/early July.
Recommendation Review So, if the Committee were to: Transition sailing stipend to athletic revolving Add SHS Drama stipend back to budget Retain the SMS Drama teacher at .8 FTE Reduce SMS Foreign Language from .4 to .2 FTE Begin Elementary Foreign Language program at one grade level, not two Add one section of grade four at East Monitor grade four at Heights
The Result Is Instead of a 3.38% increase as proposed 1/21, consider a 3.45% increase FY15 Budget is $38,669,268.00 FY16 Preliminary is $40,001,468.58 Rather than the original FY16 proposed increase of 3.38% or ($39,974,723.58) this recommendation represents a 3.45% increase or ($40,001,468.58) or a difference of $26,745.
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