CBRC Releases Final Recommendation; Momentum for More Revenue Increases
Concerned parents and teachers crowded Grant Middle School’s cafeteria Monday night and echoed a nearly unified plea – raise revenues instead of cutting programs that work.
The district revealed last week it would consider a ballot initiative to raise taxes in a couple of years, but in the meantime, Superintendent Walter Milton says the board will likely consider issuing working cash bonds.
The Community Budget Review Committee released its final recommendation to the board Monday, which agreed with $3.2 million in the superintendents cuts, but suggested $4.3 million in alternative cuts. For example, the committee suggested an across the board pay cut of one to two percent instead of cutting certified classroom teachers – something the superintendent doesn’t support.
The School Board has until February 4th to approve a budget for the next fiscal year.
Below is what the CBRC has recommended:
Close Capital College Preparatory Academy: $1,700,000
Transfer Iles Middle School to Franklin: $100,000
Eliminate 6th Grade at Ball Charter: $273,000
Consolidate two elementary schools into Feitshans: $435,000
Pay people at the proper pay grade: $77,000
Elimination certified support staff $790,000
Elimination non-certified support staff $1,000,000
SUBTOTAL $4,375,000
Recommended Cuts from Superintendent Milton and Cabinet:
Assistant Director of Ops and Maintenance $58,900
Director of Ops will be replaced by Assistant Director $33,000
Bricklayer/laborer winter layoffs $62,000
TIL's $306,000
Volunteer Corrdinator $47,000
SUBTOTAL $506,900
High Schools:
LHS-retiring Assistant Principal $109,000
Administrative Interns - 6 $305,000
Post-Secondary Coaches - 3 $63,000
Truancy Interventionists - 3 $100,000
High School Custodians $110,000
Security (not out of ed fund) $0 (committee recommends leaving security guards in place)
SUBTOTAL $ 687,000
Programs:
Alternative Programs $457,000
Athletics -- Reduce Budget $110,000
Freshman Forward $41,000
IMSA $0 (committee recommends leaving budget in place)
Lawrence Ed Center $88,000
SUBTOTAL $696,000
Other
Special Ed, 13.5 positions $441,400
Extended Contract Positions reduced to 5 days $125,000
Reduce number of days for teaching assistants $98,400
Reduce school and office supplies $125,000
Superintendent's misc. allotment $7,000
Textbooks $300,000
SUBTOTAL $1,096,800
TOTAL REDUCTIONS $7,616,700
The superintendent's original proposal can be viewed here.
