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| By Natasha Clark Reminder Assistant Editor LONGMEADOW Last week, Superintendent of Longmeadow Public Schools Dr. Scott AndersEn sat down with Reminder Publications to discuss the state of the school district. Currently in the process of preparing a proposed above-level service budget, he talked about the basic fundamental needs of local schools and budget development. The proposed total expenditure amount for July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 is $28,142,224. The funds required by the voters (general fund amount) are $25,471,579 an increase of $1,512,941. AndersEn explained that there are various factors for FY07 that play into driving budget growth. He outlined five: Enrollment. Negotiated salary increases (of which they are still in the process of doing). Utilities and maintenance. Special education. Revenue offsets and fees. Since 1991 the district has grown by 604 students. FY07 enrollment is projected to be 3,219 (exclusive of Pre-K). Salary represents 74 percent of the total budget. AndersEn shared that none of the salary increases from FY02 through FY05 have been funded with local tax dollars, according to town financial documents. He said that the increases had been funded by other sources like school choice and state/federal grants. According to information available on www.longmeadow.k12.ma.us, the only new non-level service positions in the FY07 are two custodial positions that were cut last year. The positions were proposed to be reinstated because School Committee members found that with the reduction, school buildings were not adequately cleaned. Companies and businesses nation-wide also seem to be feeling the recent inflation increases in electricity, gas and oil. The Longmeadow school district isn't any different. AndersEn explained that this area is a major driver in budget growth for the next fiscal year. Sixty-seven percent of the level service growth in their budget is attributed to utilities. According to information provided by AndersEn, the school district's utilities increased by $158,567, while the total increase to provide level service next year only totals $223,234. Rising special education costs also strain school districts, AndersEn noted. Since increased costs are not always matched by increased state and federal funding, Longmeadow finds itself only receiving approximately 24 percent of the funding required to comply with these mandates. The Special Education budget makes up 18.6 percent of the total school budget. Special Education costs are based upon the number of students that are currently in the district. "[Many tuition placements cost] $30,000 per student," said AndersEn. "[An additional] $20,000 if transportation is needed." AndersEn said that they try to offer a variety of special education programs within the district that would prevent the need for students to attend a program outside of the district. "We're handling more students in district," he added. AndersEn also noted a recent trend of rapid growth of students requiring English language services. In FY05 they had 12 students in their state mandated English Language Learner (ELL), and in FY06 they have seen that number rise to 28 students. All of these services and needs require revenue. Longmeadow's schools are primarily funded by local tax revenue and Chapter 70 funding (school aid). Other revenue sources include user fees, state and federal grants and school choice. Highlighting some of the recent increases that "impose on families," AndersEn showed that: Busing has increased 100 percent over last year. LHS student parking has increased by 100 percent over last year. There has been a 14 percent increase in lunch fees. Beginning with this budget cycle there is a fee for extra-curricular activities. Over the last five years, athletic fees have increased by 173 percent. AndersEn shared that between FY02 and FY05 the local dollars to support the operation of schools (exclusive of capital, debt and employee benefit costs) has increased by 0.8 percent. The growth in other sources of funding by 62.3 percent. However, the school district is anticipating a $400,000 decline in these other sources of revenue. This large decline only steepens when there is no carry forward of school choice balances for FY07. To provide a viable budget for FY06, the balance of school choice monies was used. When adding that revenue decrease, the decline grows to nearly $700,000. "We're working hard to identify additional streams of revenue," AndersEn said. Compared to some other Massachusetts cities and towns, Longmeadow has kept costs down in per pupil spending. Longmeadow's increase for total per pupil expenditure was one half of the rate of inflation at 7.2 percent, which can have both positive and negative connotations. On one hand its costs are low, on the other hand Longmeadow is not spending the same amount of money on their students nor keeping up with the rate of inflation in that arena when it comes to per pupil spending. AndersEn also noted that there are early indications that there may be an increase in Chapter 70 funding around the state. There has also been an increase of $382,000 in aid to the town for next year. The School Committee had recommended some increases beyond level service two custodians, textbooks, tech infrastructure, other maintenance (minor non-capital repairs), professional development for substitutes and supplies that total $316,214. Compared to last year's proposed above level service amount, FY07 seems conservative (last year residents had to vote on a tiered Proposition 21/2 override option). "The budget passed by the School Committee is intentionally modest. [They're] really seeking a budget supported by everyone," AndersEn explained, adding that this is all also in hopes to get a positive momentum moving in the future. In an effort to gain public insight and input, the School Committee is asking that members of the community attend the public budget hearing this week, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at Longmeadow High School. Updated budget information can also be found on www.longmeadow.k12.ma.us. |