Board of Education Approves 2010-2011 Budget

In a record-setting fifteen minute meeting (including public comment time), the Board of Education unanimously approved a $68,033,807 budget for 2010-2011. This budget represents a 1.28% increase over the 2009-2010 Budget. (You can view the budget here)

• Both teachers and administrators will not receive a salary increase under the approved budget, nor will any new staff be added (5 retirements are anticipated).
• There will be a zero increase in insurance costs for BOE members, but City Employees working for the BOE have a 15% increase in insurance costs (health insurance is negotiated separately for town employees and school district employees, thus the difference in cost).
• Classified salaries will increase by 2.5% due to contractual obligations (clerical, custodians, aids, etc.), but the Local 466 contract expires on 6/30/10.
• No field trips are funded, professional development funds were cut by more than 50%, funding for textbooks and library and media materials are at or below the 2009-2010 level of funding, and student activities funds for the middle schools and MHS were cut by 50%.
• Note: Middletown spends MORE than the state average per pupil, but when transportation and facility maintenance costs are subtracted out, Middletown spends LESS than the state average per pupil on educational materials.

The District hopes to save roughly $25,000 on sewer and water costs and $90,000 in electrical costs thanks to savings realized through the Honeywell Energy Performance Contract as well as lower long terms rates. The District also expects to save on fuel oil and diesel fuel costs by participating in the Capital Region Purchasing Council consortium to get the best price. Middletown has also applied for a Race to the Top grant that may bring in $600,000 over four years, but those funds are highly restricted for specific use.

BOE Chairman Ted Raczka commented that this budget "is a reality we have to accept grudgingly." When asked what his top priorities would be if he had more money, Raczka replied that he would push for an expanded preschool program, a foreign language program for the elementary schools, and more support for women's athletics: "I think we're really falling behind in women's athletics in Middletown, but I've been told we don't stand a chance at putting more money into our programs."

Superintendent Michael Frechette noted that no teacher jobs will be lost if this budget is fully funded by the Town Council, but that a $4 million gap will open up by the 2012-13 budget cycle as the Federal Stimulus funds run out. Middletown received$2,375,713 in Education Cost Sharing Funds and $1,413,912 (over two years) for District Funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These funds come straight to the BOE from the State, so the Common Council just reduced the BOE's appropriation for the 2009-2010 school year (and will do so for the 2010-2011 school year) by that same amount. In fact, 14% of the State's Education Cost Sharing requirements were paid by Federal Funds instead of State funds, so Middletown won't be the only town to face a horrible budget reality in the next two years (not that sharing the pain makes it any easier for anyone...)

The Superintendent has his own wish list for Middletown schools should more funds become available at a later date: the full list is available here, but the top of list includes a full-day preschool for all students, an increase in the school day AND school year (so longer days and more days in school), and expanded before and after school programs. BOE Chairman Ted Raczka confirmed that all players in the district have agreed to a longer school day (it's already in teacher contracts). However, the BOE hasn't been able to fund a longer day, and it's not looking possible anytime soon given the state of the economy and the funding levels that are likely to come back from the Common Council.

Speaking of the Common Council, we should all pay particular attention to the language used during this upcoming budget cycle. The Council used reserve funds and funds not yet received from the sale of Cucia Park to the Army to close this year's budget gap, so where will the money come from to close the gap once Federal Stimulus funds dry up? And what will happen once Aetna is moved back to Hartford and we've lost that tax revenue? The school budget is roughly half the town budget, and if the town budget is in crisis, the school budget is not far behind. Both the Superintendent and the BOE Chairman have publicly stated that Middletown's curriculum isn't challenging enough and that we should be doing more for our students. We can't afford to let the Common Council dig any more holes with this year's budget process!