WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. January 26, 2009 UPDATED 11:20 A,M.: Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors presented his first “pass” at the 2009-2010 school budget, with the first round of budgets from Assistant Superintendents and departments, to get a sense of the Board of Education reaction. Connors said his $190.4 Million expense budget considered just expenses only, and that it was too early to project revenues because of the unpredictability of what the state legislature was going to do with education funding, and the uncertain position of White Plains assessments.
He reported that the $190,359,216 budget maintained current staff levels and said staff cuts were the next alternative in considering further reductions. No efforts to cut expenses from now until the end of the current 2008-2009 budget were announced, and that matter of cutting current expenditures was not raised by the Board of Education.
In the first Community Forum on the budget held January 15, the Assistant Superintendent for Business, Fred Seiler told the public the district was attempting to cut $9.2 Million from a rollover budget of $193.6 Million. They are a third of the way there at $190.4 Million.
The outgoing superintendent made a strong case for retaining the Newcomer center and Pre-K because of the positive results those programs have had in preparing White Plains kindergarteners for learning in kindergarten, accelerating their progress. Margaret Dwyer, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum said mathematics achievement has risen dramatically in the first and second grade levels, directly traceable to the Pre-K effect.
Connors recommended cutting summer enrichment programs and all after school programs would be subject to elimination in order to lower the budget farther. He promised a complete list of programs on the cut list Tuesday morning.
One New Program; More World languages at Middle School
The one new program suggested comes in the Middle School: installing Spanish, Italian and French classes in the middle school, that would be funded (to the expenditure of $250,000) by eliminating the WINGS program (involving 180 children) in the Middle School, and extending the Middle School day in order to eliminate $500,000 in busing costs the district now pays for three separate bus pickups at the Middle Schools.
After discussion of about 45 minutes on this topic, a possibility of continuing WINGS in the sixth grade only and eliminating it in the 7th and 8th grades was suggested by Board member Peter Bassano. Connors said he would get back to the Board and examine the costs of doing that, as well as exploring parents’ feelings, and teacher union acceptance of the longer Middle School day.
Cost Savings for Program Elimination Requested
Board members Terance McGuire and Mr. Bassano asked the Superintendent to break out the savings involved in eliminating summer programs as Connors suggested in order that the board could see the tradeoffs.
Donna McLaughlin, Board President, ended the meeting saying she felt the board had to cut the budget increase “down to zero,” saying that even if the budget was the same as this year, ($184.4 Million), the district faced the possibility of a 4 to 5% tax increase. McLaughlin said the finance committee had to go through items line-by-line, describing the overtime the district pays without naming a figure (to keep buildings open for community activities, for example) as “sinful.”
Back for More Cuts
The Superintendent said he would be going back to the cabinet members, looking to eliminate and consolidate teaching assistant and clerical positions. He also said he was looking at suggestions made by the public to have Curriculum Coordinators teach as well as coordinate, but cited the possibility of switching unions (from administrative to teachers union), as creating a conflict of interest in doing so. Connors also said that possible retirements in administrative positions would offer the possibilities of eliminating those administrative positions.
Dumping Dollars.
The $3.2 Million in cuts were achieved by eliminating $147,160 from the Equipment budget, $393,262 in Tuitions by bringing special education students back into the district, $246,156 in Transportation, $152,589 in supplies, and $522,021 in “Other Expenses.”
Other expense savings were $268,900 in maintenance and contracts; $87,741 in Curriculum and Staff Development Support expenses; $82,579 in Administrative expenses; $50,000 in legal services; and $20,216 in conference expenses. However possible certiorari refunds were not included.
Meanwhile Back at the Bargaining Table
The head of the White Plains Teachers Association, Kerry Broderick, told WPCNR that the next meeting with the state mediator with the Board of Education and the White Plains Teachers Association was scheduled for February 26.
Assistant Superintendent for Business, Fred Seiler told WPCNR that the salary increase budgeted in the current expense total of $190,359,216 “addressed” issues under discussion with the union. Salaries currently are budgeted at $102,940,921 and increase of 2.78%, $2,785,346. The budget presented Monday night maintains current staff levels, the Superintendent said.
New Superintendent on Fast Track
Fred Seiler, Asssitant Superintendent for Business told WPCNR, he understood the Board of Edcuation was hoping to finalize the contract with the Superintendent of Schools-select, Dr. Christopher Clouet of New London, Connecticut at the February Board of Education meeting.
Dr. Clouet is scheduled to meet with the community now on Thursday evening at 7:30 at White Plains High School for introductions to the school district. Wednesday evening meeting with Dr. Clouet was postponed in anticipation of inclement weather.
