Fitchburg Public Schools FY09 Budget

1
Fitchburg Public Schools FY09 Budget
2
Vision Statement

• Each Fitchburg Public School provides learning
  experiences that engage all students in achieving
  high academic standards while developing
  intellectual rigor, creative interest, and the
  social characteristics that prepare them for the
  challenges of living successfully and
  productively as citizens of this new century.

3
Budget Guidelines

• REDUCE
• RETAIN
• REORGANIZE

4
Introduction

• Budget History
• Initiatives
• District Goals
• Funding Sources
• Grants
• Budget Process
• Dual Budget
• Superintendents Recommended Budget

5
Budget History

• History of Cuts
• History of Grant Reductions
• History of under funding Special Education
• History plagued by facility Issues

6
History of Grant Reductions

• Supplement Not Supplant Policy
• The Fitchburg Public School District will use
  Federal Title I funds for supplementary services
  for at risk or low-performing students. Title
  I funds will not take the place of, i.e.
  supplant, public education services that are to
  be provided to all students by the district.

7
Grant Funding Example
8
Grant Funding Example
9
History of under funding Special Education Tuition

• Funded Actual Cost
• Tuition to Collaboratives 2,200,000
  2,100,000
• Tuition to MA/Private Schools 2,000,000
  2,600,000
• Total 4,200,000 4,700,000
• Difference 500,000

10
History plagued by facility Issues FY05-08 cost
Budget 183,792 Capital and
Council 954,326 Mass. Interlocal Insurance
Assoc. 210,000 Total
1,348,118
11
District Goals

• District-wide focus on increased student
  performance through building school community in
  a rigorous academic environment
• Increased school attendance and
• decreased dropout rate
• Increased parent outreach and
• communication
• A well prepared, collaborative and
• engaged administrative team
• Technology and Infrastructure

12
Goal based Initiatives

• (Goal 1,2) Universal Full Day
  Kindergarten
• This year was the second year with full
  implementation made possible by the closing of
  the kindergarten centers and new Chapter 70
  reimbursement.
• (Goal 1) Reading First/Bay State full
  implementation of the core reading
  program
• This new Core Reading Initiative is creating a
  consistent and targeted reading strategy for all
  Elementary students. Early evaluations have been
  very positive.

13
Goal based Initiatives

• (Goal 1,2,3) Pilot School and Commonwealth
  Pilot School
• FAA has had a very successful second year and
  has seen an increased enrollment for FY09.
• Academy has taken up the turnaround challenge
  and prepares to enter its second year with a
  prepared staff and developed focus.
• (Goal 1) District-wide Math
  Initiative
• The effects of the district-wide Math Initiative
  is being felt in all of our schools. Fitchburg
  has been featured state-wide for its creative and
  successful math approach.

14
Goal based Initiatives

• (Goal 1,2) Expanded Learning Time
• The struggles associated with first year
  implementation at Academy has not deterred BF
  Brown from pursuing an Expanded Learning
  opportunity for students. Both Academy and BF
  have developed an exciting embedded Expanded
  Learning Program.
• (Goal 1,2,3) HS and MS Alternative School
• The Fitchburg Middle School and High School
  program is a model that other districts are
  examining and a great service to students and
  their families.

15
Goal based Initiatives

• (Goal 1) Model Professional Development
• With very little money but lots of in-house
  talent we have delivered a quality program in
  conjunction with other districts and FSC.
• (Goal 5) Enhanced Technology
• Using some district funds and the Microsoft
  voucher reimbursement we have moved to high
  speed internet and are prepared to move all
  school data to X2.

16
Goal based Initiatives

• (Goal 1,2,3,4,5) Maintained a Comprehensive
  Program
• In all areas we have maintained a program that
  continues to provide opportunities for all
  students at all levels.
• (Goal 1) Academic Recognition
• Our successful Renaissance Program in the high
  school celebrates student achievement and has
  inspired similar academic recognition events in
  all Fitchburg schools.

17
Goal based Initiatives

• (Goal 1,2,3) 21st Century After School
• This year marked full implementation of five
  after school programs. These serve over 500
  students. Plans are in place to try to maintain
  all five programs next year.
• (Goal 2) Dropout Prevention
• Through the help of a CS2 grant a concerted
  effort has been made in reducing the dropout
  rate.

18
Chapter 70
19
Total FY09 School Budget

• City Budget Allocation 46,000,000
• City Indirect Charges 14,526,099 (estimated)
• __________
• Total 60,526,099
• Minus Transportation/McKay Rental 4,850,126
• __________
• Total FY09 School Budget 55,675,973
• Required Net School Spending 55,623,533
• __________
• Difference 52,440

20
History of Funding

• Year Amount Increase Indirect
  Increase
• Charges
• FY06 42,000,000 5.8
  11,325,652 - 7.5
• FY07 44,080,000 5 12,766,890
  12
• FY08 44,100,000 0 13,826,099
  8
• FY09 46,000,000 4.3 14,526,099
  8
• (estimated)

21
History of Cuts FY04 to Present
22
Budgetary Considerations

• McKay class size and economy of scale
• Elementary Special Education inclusion classes
• M S Special Education
• PALs program at Reingold
• Discretionary budgets
• Middle School Autism Program

23
Other Funding Sources

• FY08 FY09
• Circuit Breaker 1,011,247 NA
• School Choice 888,088 794,779
• Revolving Accts. 313,631 313,631
• (Athletics,Transportation,
• Alt. Ed. and 21st Century)

24
Budget Process

• Review budget goals
• Gather budget information
• Project salary increases
• Apply fixed cost increases
• Fund Goal driven initiatives
• Fund agreed upon grant reductions
• Arrive at 46,000,000 budget

25
Enrollment Decline
Enrollment decrease 280
26
Projected Class Size K-4
Areas of Concern
Priority 3
Priority 1
Priority 4
Priority 2
27
Projected Class Size 5-8
28
Academic Support PositionsRelated to District
Initiatives

• Reading Specialists 1 at South Street and 1 at
  Crocker
• Middle School
• Alternative Staff
• Math Coaches .5 at
• South Street and
• .5 at McKay
• Tile V Data Clerk

29
Recommended Staff Additions
Substitutes 150,000 BF
Brown enrichment 1 teacher 40,000 BF
Brown/SSE Guidance 60,000 Memorial Science
Teacher 40,000 Alt. Ed. Teacher and Para
60,000 Technology Director
85,000 TOTAL 435,000
30
Recommended Other Additions

• Test Evaluation 45,000
• SPED legal 11,000
• Technology contracts 80,000
• NEASC 8,000
• Translations 5,000
• Athletics 35,000
• Utility Increases 271,658
• Transportation 120,000
• TOTAL 575,658

31
Recommended Non Staff Reductions
Reduction Remaining Longevity -30,000
170,000 Textbooks -18,000
22,000 Staff Development -10,000
40,000 Capital -11,500
0 Personnel -10,000 11,000 General
Supplies -5,549 115,000 Rental Lease
Equipment -20,000 40,000
Total -105,049
32
Recommended Reductions

• 2 custodians (open positions) -70,000
• City funded Nurse (private schools) -59,547
• Other Nurse (Pilot school autonomy) -46,000
• 8 Teachers
  -320,000
• 3 Kindergarten Paras -45,000
• 2 secretaries -60,000
• SPED staff cut (Includes 7 teachers)
  -533,936
• Total -1,134,483

33
Recommended 46,000,000Budget
34
Next Steps

• Together we build
• the future and plan as a community to
• provide the best
• education possible
• for all Fitchburg students

35
Strategic Planning Budget

• This will serve as a key element of the
  developing Strategic Planning initiative.
• 52,000,000