Algonquin Preliminary Budget Shows Almost 6 Percent Increase

A preliminary look at the FY2013 budget shows a 5.97 percent increase over last year, up to $18,671,724 from FY2012's $17,619,217, according to a report Superintendent of Schools Charles Gobron presented to the Regional School Committee on Wednesday night.

While priorities remain maintaining high school staff and instructional programs, keeping class sizes and creating short and long-term capital plans, Gobron said working with decreased federal money, as well as increasing expenses has resulted in a swell in the budget.

the lack of ARRA grants and other stimulus funds this year are important "budget drivers," said Gobron. 

"Three years of almost level funding caused little increase in the base," said Gobron. "The elimination of these substantial one time stimulus grants over the past years, plus increased needs in the area of special education, increased class size and rising health insurance have all affected the budget."

It would take, added Gobron, a 10.42 percent increase to "do what we really want to do," but that will not be requested.

Other increases driving the budget upward include contract teacher salaries, health insurance costs, SPED grant positions, tuition out SPED increase, tuition out collaborative increase, bus contracts, accreditation expenses and a SPED transportation increase.

Depending on assessments (which Gobron said should come within weeks from the governor's office) and other factors, such as enrollment, reductions could total $304,149. That includes a cut to utilities, custodial contract service, retirement assessment, maintenance accounts, materials and textbooks, and $180,000 in salaries.

"Staff being the most valuable resource, we're looking everywhere else to make reductions," he said.

Gobron added that the school is looking at additional ways to generate revenue. One possibility is adding a flat activity fee of $25 per student per semester. Examining ways to charge fees for facility usage, savings on health insurance plans and pursuing donations and grants are other "steps" Gobron hopes to take.

"It isn't good news," said Gobron, "but the world isn't ending, and we're working together and we have a fine high school that we are looking to preserve."