Given the target of 1% budget increases, we have listened to suggestions, looked at the data, and scrutinized the budgets in relation to our principles and expectations.
At the end of the budget development process, including the identification of cuts and necessary additions, the net cuts must reach $1.4 million for the Regional Schools and $700,000 for the Amherst Schools while we preserve the goals and high expectations of our schools for the achievement of every student!
2007-2008
Amherst
Fixed and Known
Increases: 4.7%
Target Increases
from the Town(s): 1.0%
Therefore, net cuts: $700,000
Region
Fixed and Known: 6.9%
Target Increases
from the Town(s): 1.0%
Therefore, net cuts: $1,440,000
Attachments include:
Regional Schools Cuts Narrative
Regional Schools Cut List
Amherst Schools Cuts Narrative
Amherst Schools Cut List
Meeting #2 - Budget Revenue and Expenditure Assumptions (to date)
Other information is available on our website at www.arps.org/BudgetInformation/.
Questions can be sent to Jere Hochman, Superintendent, at hochmanj@arps.org.
School Committee Meetings are posted on the Town and District websites.
The Amherst Elementary and Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools Budgets have been in development for the past several months.
The School Committees have heard reports on every district department and summaries of data on many topics, including student achievement. These reports include information on demographics, enrollments, financial issues, and much, much more.
During the month of December, meetings were held at every school for faculty and staff and additional meetings were held for parents and the community. The budget picture for 2007-2008 was shared at those meetings and questions and suggestions were heard. A Budget 101 presentation on ACTV illustrated the many components that make up the budget development process for our three districts and four towns.
Also in December, the School Committees received a Data and Demographics packet illustrating information and data about students, enrollment trends, programs, services, staffing, finances, and other quantitative analyses of the schools. Subsequently, the School Committees received a Budget Assumptions packet. This document is a running record of assumptions we make about revenue sources (federal, state, town, and fees) and expenditures (class size variables, enrollments, programs, and others).
Four schools are also hosting School Walk-Throughs which provide opportunities for citizens to see the schools in action and to gain an insight on school today.
All of these efforts serve as the means to the higher end of student achievement-the achievement of high-status knowledge and skills of every student through the work and development of every district professional and staff member in their respective classrooms and roles.
As of this writing, we are assuming a 1% increase cap on revenues to build the budget. The known and fixed costs for 2007-2008 include increases in health insurance, energy costs, contracts with transportation vendors and others, funds to negotiate in good faith with all employee groups, and leases that extend into future years. With these fixed cost increases ranging from 4% - 6%, it is apparent we must cut the budgets substantially. Currently the targeted amounts for these cuts are approximately $1.4 million for the Regional Schools and $700,000 for the Amherst Schools. As we learn more about state and federal revenues, these targets could fluctuate.
On the revenue side, it has been suggested that economic development, changes in state and/or federal regulations, or contributions from the College or University could offset the need for these cuts. It is unlikely that significant changes in these will occur although strides are being taken in all of these areas. Regardless, it is doubtful that any progress in these areas would realize new revenue for the schools for 2007- 2008.
On the expenditure side, we have reviewed every feature of our schools. In considering cuts, everything is on the table for consideration. To reach the targeted cuts, all budget lines were considered and many ideas from the community and staff were reviewed. It should be noted that there are some necessary additions to the budget due to regulations, compliance issues, students individual education plans in special education, offsetting cuts with more efficient approaches, and others.
In considering cuts and changes, we were guided by principles that describe our schools and the expectations we believe the community has for our schools:
*Achievement, engagement, and membership: Academic proficiency & every student college ready
*Individualization and inclusion (maximizing the inclusion of special education students)
*Rich curriculum in the basics and the arts with an array of courses and academic opportunities & pedagogy characterized with exploration, experiential learning, activity-based learning, field trips, problem solving, and relevance
*Equity, social justice, a social conscience and decisions which afford opportunities for all students
*A trump card for every student, a niche for every student, personalization & flexibility
*Professionalism, professional development, and training
Of course, the question with cutting budgets is To what degree can we continue to achieve each of these goals and expectations?
For example, an after-school program may seem like something we should cut; but we believe that a sport, activity, or after-school program is often that trump card for a student and solves an equity issue by providing additional instruction to students with academic needs.
Given the target of 1% budget increases, we have listened to suggestions, looked at the data, and scrutinized the budgets in relation to our principles and expectations.
At the end of the budget development process including the identification of cuts and necessary additions, the net cuts must reach $1.4 million for the Regional Schools and $700,000 for the Amherst Schools.
AGENDA for REGULAR Meeting of AMHERST School Committee
7:00 PM, TUESDAY—February 13, 2007
High School Library
1. Vote for Executive Session
2. Welcome
· A. Reorganization
· B. Call to Order & Agenda Review
· C. Minutes—January 16, 2007
3. Announcements and Public Comment
4. Superintendent's Update
5. Unfinished/Continuing Business
· A. FY08 Budget Update
o Update on Override
o Preliminary Numbers
6. New Business
7. Reports
8. School Committee Planning
· A. Sub-committee reports
· B. Items for upcoming meetings
· C. Calendar review
9. Adjourn