Board Seeks Input on Potential Cuts

As part of its goal of "getting to zero", the Bronxville Board of Education is seeking community comments regarding a potential budget reductions. At the February meeting Superintendent David Quattrone presented a list of possible cuts exceeding $1,500,000. The items include various efficiencies, program modifications, and structural changes. Over the next two months the Board will review and revise the various possibilities before finalizing a budget in April. The next public opportunities for input include the Saturday, March 6th budget workshop (9 AM) and the Thursday, March 18 regular meeting (7 PM). Both meetings will be held in the School's multi-purpose room.

At the same meeting, Assistant Superintendent Dan Carlin presented the components of the initial "rollover budget," which currently stands at a 1.23% spending increase over 2008-09. The current budget level reflects savings generated by spending freezes, unfilled vacancies, and an early retirement incentive. It does not include any additional wage increases that may be determined by collective bargaining now pending with four different employee units.

Producing a 0% expenditure budget will require a reduction of $540,525. Arriving at a 0% tax rate will require a total reduction of $1,046,079. A list of potential reductions and the estimated savings follows. These budget options will also be presented at forthcoming Council meetings.

Efficiency and Productivity

• Do not replace retiring special education teacher: increase ES skills groups from 5 to 9 students ($85,671)
• Do not replace two Middle School teachers: assign MS advisory as a sixth assignment ($137,074)
• Do not replace retiring Elementary School teacher: reduce section at grade 3. Class size increases from 18.5 to 22.8. ($85,671)
• Postpone capital projects: outside storage shed, tile replacement on second floor ($80,000)
• Outsource day and night cleaning services ($320,000)
• Eliminate enrichment field trips: Washington DC at grade 8; overseas trips at HS ($17,718)
• Reduce equipment, supplies, and textbooks by 10% ($98,021)

Program Reductions and Modifications

• Eliminate FLES in grades 1-5 ($128,507)
• Eliminate lab periods for core science curriculum in grades 9 and 10 ($25,701)
• Eliminate curriculum-related field trips: Farm – grade 2, Philadelphia - grade 5, Williamsburg – grade 7 ($42,131)
• Reduce athletic expenses by 10%: assistant coaches in lacrosse, basketball, field hockey, gym and weight room access ($48,850)
• Reduce co-curricular expenses by 10%: consolidate and reorganize stipends, especially in areas with multiple advisers ($22,898)

Structural Changes

• Consolidate to 2 schools, K-6/7-12: eliminate one administrator position ($174,225)
• Reduce clerical support by 1.9 positions ($113,384)
• Eliminate 9-12 team leader stipends, consolidate 6-12 curriculum leader stipends ($26,789)
• Reduce 6-12 master schedule to seven periods, reducing elective opportunities ($171,342)