Derby Public Schools FY2012 Budget Proposal

Derby Public Schools

FY2012 Budget ProposalPresented by the

Derby Board of Educationto the

Board of Apportionment & Taxation

March 29, 2011

Good Schools are a Community Asset

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Performance DashboardBradley School

Derby Public Schools

“People without information cannot act.  People with information cannot help but act.”

Ken Blanchard

February 2011

What are we asking for?

FY2012 BoE Proposed: $19,020,894

FY2011 BoE Budgeted: $17,734,779

Increase: $ 1,286,115

7.25%

What’s In?

Our proposal maintains most (but not all) current positions and programs, including:

Full Day Kindergarten Business Education Interscholastic Athletics

What’s Out?BoE’s proposed budget already cuts: 2 teaching positions at DHS 1 teaching position at Bradley 1 teaching position at Irving 1 Special Education para position Maintenance overtime

A Tax Increase for our Schools

Proposed increase: $ 1,286,1151 mil on tax rate raises: $ 892,000*Proposed inc. in mils: 1.44 milsTypical Derby Home: $ 189,000**Tax Increase would be: $ 275 per year

$ 23 per month

* At 98% collection** Taxable

Why an increase?

State law requires that the Board of Education “prepare an itemized estimate of the cost of maintenance of public schools…”

This budget represents what the Board of Education believes is required to provide appropriate educational opportunities for Derby’s children.

Why an increase?

Non-Discretionary Increases: Wages $ 191,000 Benefits $ 344,000 Energy $ 186,000 Unemployment Compensation $

147,000 Transportation $ 22,000

Why an increase?

Non-Discretionary Increases: Special Education Tuition $

21,000 Substitute Teachers $ 50,000 Pre-School Sp Ed Position $

33,000

Total: $ 994,000

77% of the requested increase

Why an increase?

Important Improvements: Curriculum Development $

40,000 Staff Training $ 40,000 DMS Reading Facilitator $

30,000 DHS On Line Credit Recovery $

20,000

Why an increase?

Important Improvements: Tech infrastructure $ 31,000 Response to NEASC $

50,000

Total: $ 211,000

16% of the requested increase

Tightening Our Belts

0% raise for teachers 2010-11 0% raise for administrators 2011-12 Superintendent’s raise tied to student

results

Tightening Our BeltsBoE’s proposed budget already cuts: 2 teaching positions at DHS 1 teaching position at Bradley 1 teaching position at Irving 1 Special Education para position Maintenance overtime

Tightening Our Belts

Since 2008, School District reduced head count by 16

1 Assistant Superintendent7 Teachers

3 Librarians12 Paraprofessionals2 Clerical positions

1 Custodian 1 Security Aide

Added 11 Sp Ed Para positions required by law.

Tightening Our Belts

From 2008-09 to 2009-10, we cut

Office Supplies from $ 68,000 to $23,000

Athletic Supplies from $ 64,000 to $ 0

New Instruct’l Equipment from $ 33,000 to $ 7,000

Library Books/Periodicals from $ 28,000 to $ 0

Textbooks from $ 98,000 to $20,000

Instructional Supplies from $184,000 to $78,000

Why is our requested % increase so high?

Derby’s school budgets have been historically low compared to the state and to other similar communities.

Same dollar amount = a higher % We’ve already done a lot of cutting – so

there’s less left to cut.

History of Low FundingPer Pupil Expenditure Rates

Source: CSDE Strategic School Profiles

History of Low Funding

Figures include “in kind contributions” that all cities and towns make to their schools.

Communities similar to Derby tend to spend above state average – not below.

If Derby’s schools were funded at the state average PPE, we would have over $2 million more to provide programs & services.

Schools’ Share of Total Spending% of total town spending devoted to education

Source: Valley Independent Sentinel 6/14/10

50

56 5759

46

51

56

61

66

Derby Ansonia Shelton Seymour

New England Association of Schools & Colleges

Re: Derby High School, 2010

An independent accreditation organization Self study conducted by DHS staff Site visit fall of 2010 Report: findings & recommendations See www.derbyps.org for full report

New England Association of Schools & Colleges

Re: Derby High School, 2010

Many commendations: Effective school leadership Positive, orderly environment Many excellent, dedicated teachers Extra space resulting from construction of new

Middle School

New England Association of Schools & Colleges

Re: Derby High School, 2010

Many Concerns: Average test scores below state averages. Substandard library & no librarian. Inadequate technology system. Limited curriculum & staff development. Insufficient texts & instructional materials.

New England Association of Schools & Colleges

Re: Derby High School, 2010 Inadequate funding

Level 2011 PPE 2012 PPEHigh $11,190 $11,978

Middle $ 8,496 $ 9,089 Elementary $ 8,772 $ 9,517

Why Don’t We Always Cut What We Say We’ll Cut?

Classroom paraprofessionals Librarians & Teachers Full day kindergarten

Didn’t we increase the school budget for the last two years?

Yes…. but…. Substantial portions of those increases were

required to open the new DMS. Remaining new dollars have not kept pace with

rising labor, benefit, energy and special education costs.

Didn’t we increase the school budget for the last two years?

Last year, the BoE was granted an increase of 2.2% or $376,797.

But $262,000 had to be devoted to completing the opening of the new DMS – Leaving only $ 114,797 for all other increases.

Increase in benefit costs alone exceeded the remaining increase.

Be Creative

Strategic Planning Process Academic Excellence Quality Instruction Organizational Efficiency Student Life Community Partnership Revenue Opportunities

Be Creative

Strategic Planning Process Organizational Efficiency

– Regionalize?– Close DHS and tuition students out?– Reorganize elementary schools K-2 and 3-5?– Other?

Recommendation to BoE in May BoE to adopt Plan in June

The Cost of “Zero”

To get to a “zero increase”, BoAT would have to cut $1,286,000 from BoE’s Proposed Budget.

Does anyone see a way to make such a reduction in a responsible, legal manner?

Bottom Line

Thank you for support in past years. Thank you for new DMS Not asking to regain what we’ve lost over

past three years. Not even looking to hold the line. Asking you to help us slow the loss of

positions and services. For about $23 a month.