Stamford School Board Postpones Budget Proposal
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The board spent three hours going round and round about possible cuts before a room packed with sometimes combative parents and community members who were worried about cutting too much — or not enough.
Voters rejected the $1.8 million school budget at a contentious Town Meeting, including the separate articles for a full-time kindergarten for $25,000 and $20,000 for technology purchases.
If voters fail to approve a budget by June 30, the 2013 budget will be automatically cut to 87 percent of this year. The state expects budgets to be filed by June 1.
Vice Chairman James Sarkis presented figures of three budget options and the effects for taxpayers by property value, and the yearly changes since 2009.
The first of the three options shown was the already struck $1.84 million budget, which was projected to increase taxes of homeowners with a home-assesed value of $200,000 by $10.88 per month, or about $131 a year.
The second option, which remains a possible route, is a $1.78 million budget that does not include unapproved warrant articles, such as the full-time kindergarten.
The last option does not include unapproved warrant articles, and takes in account $60,762 in new proposed cuts. Although this option will increase this year's budget by about 10 percent while decreasing school taxes for residents, some worry it might not be enough if presented to the town.
"I understand, and it makes sense, but we're still at a 10 percent increase," said Chairwoman Cynthia Lamore, who wanted to consider $73,000 in cuts. "And I think if we go back to the community with a 10 percent increase, they're not going to be happy."
If the town votes it down, Lamore said the board would have "scurry back to the drawing board" and figure out a budget before the state sets one for them.
The last option also does not take into account a controversial possibility of restructuring Principal Beth Choquette's position so she can teach half-time, possibly kindergarten. That raised concerns of ousting current kindergarten teacher Valerie Hope, who is very popular within the community and school.
The possibility of cutting the secretary to a half-time position for a savings of $16,620 was mentioned at the board's March 21 meeting.
Sarkis hopes that the town can move toward a budget that is a compromise between the second and third option, and then look forward to a long-term solution. He wants to find the point where taxpayers won't see any change from last year in terms of school taxes, but still increase the budget. Then, the school can keep the same teachers, remain stable for another year, but the School Board and community will need to look into a real long-term solution so an annual budget-cutting fiasco can be avoided.
"We don't have a plan right now, we need to come up with a real plan," Sarkis said. "Whether it's sending seventh and eighth [grades] to another school, making it private, sending all the kids to who knows where, I don't know what the answer is."
Despite lengthy emotional conversations and planning, the School Board could not decide on a budget.
Annette Czarnecki, a special educator at the school, said the board should discuss its plans with the faculty. The School Board obliged and School Director Nancy LeSage volunteered to meet with the faculty before the next meeting.
The next meeting special meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 4, at 7 p.m. at the school. The School Board will then meet again at its regular meeting, which takes place on April 12. When the School Board decides on a budget, then a special Town Meeting can be scheduled after 30 days from that date.
► In its lone motion of the evening, the School Board granted permission to Lamore to begin a search for legal counsel in regards to contract negotiations. Sarkis was the lone no vote and School Director Duncan Honig was absent. At the March 21 special meeting, Superintendent Jack Rizzo – who was absent at Tuesday's meeting – mentioned the possibility of a seven-figure lawsuit if contracts are handled incorrectly.
Stamford (Vt.) School Budget Options 2012
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