Published in the April 6, 2017 edition
By DAN TOMASELLO
NORTH READING — The school department is still facing a budget gap for fiscal year 2018, Finance Director Michael Connelly told the School Committee last week.
Connelly said the school department is currently debating two different spending plans for FY’18. The recommended budget totals $29,984,968, representing a 5 percent increase ($1,438,826) over the current fiscal year budget of $28,546,142. The level services budget totals $29,800,180, representing a 4.4 percent increase ($1,254,038) over the FY’17 budget.
The current school budget gap is between $454,731 and $639,519, depending on whether the School Committee adopts a 5 percent recommended budget or a 4.4 percent level services budget.
“We are essentially operating on two budget proposals at this point,” said Connelly. “We have a level services budget proposal, which represents a 4.4 percent budget increase over FY’17’s budget appropriation. The recommended budget includes additional NRPS 2021 positions guided by the district’s strategic plan. There is still work to do to bring things into balance, which is typical for where we are at in this process here in North Reading.”
The School Committee will be holding a public hearing on the FY’18 school budget on Monday, April 10, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the high school’s distance learning lab. The public is invited to attend.
Connelly noted Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto and members of the Board of Selectmen attended a budget workshop recently.
“We are hopeful there could be some additional money coming to the school department and the town through changes in fixed costs,” said Connelly.
Level services budget
The proposed 4.4 level services budget includes 2.7 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, totaling $135,267. The majority of the level services positions are needed due to higher kindergarten enrollment for next year.
The Batchelder School has requested a 1.0 FTE full day kindergarten teacher equaling $63,720. The Batchelder School is also requesting a 1.0 FTE full day kindergarten paraprofessional equaling $27,996.
Additionally, the Little School is requesting a .50 FTE half-day kindergarten teacher for $31,860.
Connelly said the level services budget also includes increasing an inclusion paraprofessional from .80 to 1.0 FTE, representing an increase of $4,886. In an email sent to the Transcript, Connelly said “there is a pre-school paraprofessional position that will be moving to the kindergarten program next year.”
“Pre-school paraprofessionals are .80 FTE because the program is only four days,” said Connelly. “This will require a .20 FTE increase.”
Additionally, Connelly said the school department is overhauling the coordinator of school counseling services job. He told the Transcript in an email the school department is “restructuring an existing position that will provide additional work days and K-12 counseling services district-wide with minimal financial impact, $6,805.” He said the proposal does not include adding additional staffing.
Recommended budget
In addition to the five level services positions, the school department is requesting 2.9 FTE positions as part of the school system’s recommended budget. The NRPS 2021 strategic plan positions total $184,788.
North Reading High School is requesting a 1.0 FTE academic teacher totaling $63,720. The academic teacher would address large classes at NRHS.
The elementary schools are requesting a 1.0 FTE team chairperson for $63,720. The Batchelder School is requesting a 0.4 school psychologist at $25,488. Connelly said recently the psychologist would help meet students’ social emotional needs.
The Little School is requesting a 0.5 reading teacher for $31,860. Connelly said recently this reading teacher would be working with students who need additional support.
Reaction
Even though the school department is still facing a budget gap, School Committee member Mel Webster said “let’s not cut anything until we get closer to the date where we have to have a final budget.”
“Hopefully the House and Senate budgets provide more Chapter 70 money,” said Webster.
School Committee Vice Chairman Jerry Venezia agreed.
“I couldn’t agree more,” said Venezia. “We are making a lot of progress here. The Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee’s leadership have worked very, very hard to help us close our budget gap while trying to close the budget gap they have at the same time.”
Webster said the Selectmen and Finance Director Elizabeth Rourke have “put some great ideas into place” to address health insurance costs.
“That has been extremely helpful,” said Webster.
Webster said he would still like the school department to add foreign language teachers in the proposed FY’18 school budget “even though its expensive.” The School Committee has been looking to expand the school system’s foreign language program, particularly at the middle school.
Superintendent of Schools Jon Bernard thanked the efforts Gilleberto and the Finance Planning Team have undertaken to help the school department close its budget gap for FY’18.
“They have their own issues too with a deficit on the municipal side of government,” said Bernard. “There is a great level of willingness to try and work with us to maximize revenues. I have been speaking more and more frequently with the town administrator, and it’s nice to have the opportunity to speak with him in a very honest way. The conversations have been built on trust because we both have a mutual issue we are trying to solve. I think Michael Gilleberto’s efforts and those of the Board of Selectmen should be commended.”
School Committee Chairman Cliff Bowers agreed.
“The town is very fortunate that we have this Finance Planning Team because it provides a level of trust and good feeling among the various people who make decisions on the budget,” said Bowers.
Bernard said he and Connelly will continue their efforts to close the budget gap.
“We will continue to look inward, sharpen our pencils and look where we can help mitigate the impact of the existing gap,” said Bernard. “I am quite pleased to hear the committee say there is a recognition of what we are trying to achieve. (The School Committee) has endorsed the strategic plan, and I don’t think the recommended budget goes outside of that. The level services budget, at a minimum, is something we feel very strongly just to maintain our good services, but there are a number of areas we want to do better. We are hoping to realize that as well.”
