Learning at ARPS
February 10, 2006
Dear Everyone Learning at ARPS:
In his new fastback Good to Great and the Social Sectors, Jim Collins notes the "Stockdale Paradox:"
"You must retain faith that you can prevail to greatness in the end while retaining the discipline to confront the brutal facts of your current reality."
What a description of where we are in planning for the continued success of every student in our schools and... the budget! Our teachers, staff, administrators, and School Committees seek continued improvement and greatness for our students; however, we now pursue that improvement and our ambitious mission while fighting to protect the core and structures which define our unique schools. We will prevail!
What follows is a capsule version of where we are to date with work on our budgets in Amherst and the Regional Schools (middle school and high school). Our School Committee and Update Meetings provide for discussion and information to those in attendance. While the media covers that as accurately as they can in the space provided, I prefer to send out key points. As always, I encourage anyone with questions, and of course, good ideas, to email me or call!
Thank you for your interest and support! Early next week we will call on that support in the form of contacting your legislators and Congress!
Where are we with budget development?
The Amherst and Amherst-Pelham Region budgets started by determining what is a "Level Services" budget. This means if we continued next year only what we are currently doing, what would the budget be? The adjustments or increases made from this year to next year would only include 1) those costs which are already contracted or predictable (utilities, insurance, transportation, salaries) and 2) those costs which are connected to student enrollments in order to maintain the same level of service or compliance with mandates and regulations.
Have budgets been submitted to the respective School Committees?
No. The level services budgets are only a starting point and we are now making cuts to those level services budgets.
What are those Level Service budgets?
Amherst Elementary Schools
FY 06 Budget.........................$18,455,714
FY 07 Level Service Budget..$20,412,826
% increase to maintain current Level of Service 10.6%
Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools
FY 06 Budget..........................$25,365,747
FY 07 Level Service Budget...$28,118,682
% increase to maintain current Level of Service 10.85%
What percentage increase are you targeting and what cuts are you considering?
Right now the budgets are being cut to a 5.5% increase Amherst budget and a 3.0% Region budget. The Amherst Finance committee has just determined a lower increase target for Amherst and we will continue to adjust as more information is received.
Amherst Elementary Schools
FY 06 Budget.........................$18,455,714
FY 07 Level Service Budget..$20,412,826
IF Target increase is 5.5%
need to cut from Level Service Budget.....$ 942,048
Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools
FY 06 Budget..........................$25,365,747
FY 07 Level Service Budget...$28,118,682
IF Target increase is 3.0%
need to cut from Level Service Budget....$ 1,991,963
What cuts have you listed?
In addition to cuts in administration, expenses, program cuts backs, support personnel cuts (paraprofessionals and others) and other areas identified, the cuts would include
a minimum of 10 teaching positions will be cut from the Amherst Schools and
a minimum of 17 teaching positions will be cut from the Middle and High Schools.
What other steps are being taken?
Of course, we continue to look at efficiencies in our budget. We have implemented energy reductions (temperature drop in buildings) and other management efficiencies. We have frozen current year expenditures until we are assured we will end the year without a deficit. We are meeting with legislators for support, especially for Chapter 70 and Transportation funds for the Regional Schools. We are seeking alternative means of revenues. And, we are looking for partnerships in areas where there may be duplication of services and other creative solutions.
What's next?
I am meeting with faculty and staff to hear their questions and ideas. I am meeting with parent groups and community members to listen to their thoughts. We will keep everyone informed on various email lists. We will continue to work on the budgets and pursuing options and alternatives.
Again, if anyone has suggestions, questions, or ideas, they should be sent to me at hochmanj@arps.org
For routine updates on the budget, School Committee agendas, and other school news, send an email to learning@arps.org. (Obviously you received this at learning@arps.org but I include this in case you forward this to others).
We may be prepared to deliver a Proposed Budget to the Amherst School Committee on February 13 and to the Region School Committee on February 28 which will include a specific listing of the cuts position by position.
Jere Hochman
Superintendent