Meeting Monson’s Mission

Meeting Monson’s Mission

FY10 Budget Proposal

Our Commitment

The Monson Public Schools are committed to our mission, beliefs and goals as stated in the District’s Strategic Plan and the newly revised School Improvement Plans. Ideally, our budget proposal would reflect that resolve.

Original FY10 Budget Proposal:

Our original request was for $767,576 above Net School Spending.

It would have restored some key instructional programs and personnel cut in recent years.

It also addressed some NEASC and AYP concerns.

The Town’s Minimum Financial Obligation:

Net School Spending is the minimum requirement for local support of the public schools.

The estimated NSS for FY10 is $336,409 LESS than required to maintain our current level of services.

Monson per pupil spending

 Per PupilMonson

Per PupilState

Average

Total expenditures

2006-2007$9,075 $11,858

Total expenditures

2007-2008$9,900 $12,497

Per Pupil Spending “Like District” Comparisons

DistrictTotal

StudentsTotal

ExpendituresPer Pupil

Expenditures

Granby 1,190 $11,218,198 $9,427

Monson 1,545 $15,294,059 $9,901

Southwick/Tolland

1,888 $19,449,458 $10,301

Webster 2,030 $23,113,804 $11,386

Gateway 1,372 $18,463,079 $13,454

School Committee Recommended Budget -A Fiscal Compromise:

Given the current economic conditions, the School Committee recommended a budget for FY10 that is $404,000 above NSS.

This amount represents $336,409 needed to maintain our current level of services plus $67,591 for critically needed textbooks: a literacy series at QHCS and science and history textbooks at GVMS and MHS.

Budget proposal summaries:

Original Proposed

Budget

Increase of $767,576

Restores some lost programs and staff

Net School Spending Budget

Shortfall of $336,409

Cuts some current programs and staff

Compromise Budget

Increase of $404,000

Maintains current programs and staff and adds textbooks

How does the Town maintain current services and purchase

new textbooks?

These basic services will require a Town override of $404,000.

Monson voters will make this decision at the election on April 6, 2009.

Why do we need to maintain current services?

Maintaining current level services prevents backwards sliding of student achievement.

Maintaining current level services prevents further decline in student enrollment, which translates into lost revenue under Chapter 70.

Impact of AYP status School Improvement Year 1

Granite Valley ELA School Improvement Year 2

Quarry Hill Math Corrective Action

Granite Valley Math Restructuring Underperforming School

Impact of enrollment decline

Decline in student enrollment 2005-2009

123 students

Approximate cost of each student lost

$6,000

Approximate total Chapter 70 funding lost

$738,000

Stimulus funding doesn’t negate the need for the override!

Stimulus funds can’t cover all that the override does, but will allow additional spending for instructional and special education services. However…

Stimulus funds are not coming all at once, and will apply to a two-year period, then end

Final stimulus funds are still dependent on a vote on the final state budget

Stimulus funds will have restrictions on what they can be used for (50% invested strategically)

What Compromise Budget does NOT address at MHS:

Restoration of English/SS teacher Restoration of Tech Ed teacher to full-time Restoration of office secretarial position Restoration of part-time building aide Additional AP class in English Literature

20222426283032343638

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Monson High SchoolStaff Positions 2002 – 2009

Staff Positions Lost: 6.95

Positions lost at MHS

Family & Consumer Science Teacher (.7) Community Resource Officer Technology Education (.5) Building Aides (2) English/Social Studies Teacher Secretary Library Secretary (.5) Career Facilitator (.25)

What Compromise Budget does NOT address at GVMS:

Restoration of grade six teacher (re: class size) Restoration of grade seven/eight teacher (math) Restoration of library assistant (part-time) Restoration of guidance secretary (part-time) Need for after-school tutorial opportunities in

response to MCAS/AYP findings

Granite Valley Middle SchoolStaff Positions 2002 – 2009

Staff Positions Lost: 15.8

2025303540455055

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Positions lost at GVMS

Fam & Con Sci (.3)World Lan TchrGuidance (.5)LibrarianTech Ed TchrGrade 6 TchrInst Aides (2)Science Tchr

Guidance (.5)Grade 5 TchrGrade 6 TchrGrade 7 TchrGrade 8 TchrLibrary SecGuidance Sec (.5)Inst Aides (2)

What compromise budget does NOT address at QHCS:

Need for a school counselor at the elementary level

Need for additional resources to address AYP issues in math and ELA.

Quarry Hill Community SchoolStaff Positions 2004 – 2009

Positions Lost: 8.5

2530354045505560

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Positions lost from QHCS

Guidance Counselor Librarian Music Teacher Literacy Teacher Kindergarten Teacher Classroom Teachers (2) Title I Teacher Title I Teacher (.5)

What Compromise Budget does NOT address in the district:

Recommendations of NEASC with regard to MHS accreditation.

Ongoing issues regarding maintenance of facilities, technology, and professional development.

Current AYP Status and the need to increase MCAS performance at GVMS and QHCS.

•Technology Director•Computer / Technology Technician•Parent Coordinator (.5)•Maintenance Second Shift (.5)•Custodian Second Shift (2)•Copy Center Aide•HR / Finance (.5)

Central Office / Maintenance Positions 2006 – 2009

Positions Lost: 6.5

Monson School SystemSchool Staff Positions Eliminated 2003 – 2009

General Education Staff – 31.25 Positions (shown)Central Office / Maintenance – 6.5 Positions Lost

Total Positions Lost – 37.75

0246810121416

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Potential impact of a NO vote on the school override question:

Reduction of $336,409 required from FY09 operational budget.

A maximum of $82,000 would come from maintenance, facilities, supplies, and materials.

The remaining $254,409 will translate into some losses of current personnel and programs.

Losses will be mitigated somewhat by receipt of the stimulus funds; details are still not available.

Override Summary

A “Yes” vote on the override question preserves current programs and personnel and adds textbooks.

A “No” vote on the override question decreases the current budget by $336,409 resulting in cuts to programs and personnel.

Approximate cost of education override

Home ValueCost per

monthCost per

year

$200,000 $8.75 $105.00

$250,000 $10.94 $131.28

$300,000 $13.13 $157.56

Therefore, the School Committee recommends the Compromise Budget and support of the override question to maintain level services that will help prepare our students for their future, not our past, and for success as defined by Education Reform at state and national levels through No Child Left Behind, AYP status, and MCAS.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of the FY10 budget proposal and support of our local schools!