Budget Discussion FY04
The FY04 School Budget Discussion is available for download from the links at the bottom of the page.
January 14, 2003
Dear School Committee Member,
The accompanying document represents a marked departure from our traditional budget proposal. This year I am providing you a budget discussion document, not a recommendation, that provides as much information as possible to support a thorough review of the range of issues associated with preparing and approving a budget for the education of the children of North Andover for the coming school year, FY04.
The North Andover School Committee is a locally elected board with authority and responsibilities derived from state law. The school department, under the control of the School Committee, is recognized in the North Andover Home Rule Charter as a unique entity, different from the municipal gov-ernment’s departments, and is a participant in the Town’s budget process. The autonomy of school committees as legislated by the state creates a natural and normal tension in North Andover, as it does within every community in Massachusetts between municipal government and education.
Budget approval is one of the three primary responsibilities of the School Committee.
“The school committee in each city and town and each regional school district shall have the power to select and to terminate the superintendent, shall review and approve budgets for public education in the district and shall establish educational goals and policies for the schools in the district consistent with the requirements of law and statewide goals and stan-dards established by the board of education.”
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71, section 37
It is my responsibility as your Superintendent of Schools to prepare a budget recommendation for your consideration. This budget discussion document, with accompanying estimates, is the first step in that process.
The budget discussion on the following pages is based on the school system’s strategic plan, “A Community’s Vision: The North Andover Public Schools By The Year 2005.” Since 1992 the school budgets have been focused on attempting to meet the expectations of the original strategic plan and revisions. Our dual challenges are to improve student performance and the quality of teaching, while at the same time being a very cost effective operation.
Specific information on town revenues or state aid to education is not yet available. In response to a request to the town manager for a recommendation, he has responded, ?In preparing the budget re-quest for the North Andover Public Schools, I can only offer the same guidelines I am requesting municipal departments to adhere to. Those guidelines request that departments submit a "level service budget that would provide for a continuation of existing services." (Appendix M) In that spirit, recognizing the current difficult economic environment at the State and local levels, this budget discussion contains no proposals for new programs or new staff or expenses except as may be minimally required by the opening of the new high school and by Special Education mandates; it is a "level service" budget. This budget provides for a very basic educational program for the regular day students of North Andover. This budget discussion attempts to provide as much information as pos-sible for the School Committee as you fulfill your statutory responsibility to approve a budget to meet the educational needs of the children of the community.
Historically, subcommittees of the School Committee, Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee have met regularly through the late winter and early spring to discuss and resolve budget matters. As we look at the financial difficulties at the state and local level, it is essential that this process of open and regular discussions between the subcommittees of the three boards take place.
In many respects the budget process is about answering some essential questions: What do we value? What is important for a good quality of life? What is essential for the future? I will be happy to respond to any questions you may have regarding this document or budget process as we work to-gether toward your approval of a final budget for the North Andover Public Schools for FY04.
Sincerely,
William E. Allen, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
March 24, 2003
Dear Parents,
As you may know, the School Committee and school administration have been developing a plan in response to the balanced budget recommendation of the Town Manager. The Town Manager’s balanced budget recommendation for the next school year, 2003-2004, requires a reduction of $2,160,397 from the level services working budget the School Committee adopted in January.
Budget reductions of this order of magnitude represent significant losses to the educational programming for our children. We explored a series of proposed reductions with the School Committee at their meeting on March 18th. The presentation I made to the Committee of the proposed reductions is included with this letter. The proposals represent major reductions in textbooks, supply, and equipment accounts, as well as professional development activities and technology support. The most significant aspect of the proposal before the School Committee is the elimination of 26 staff, including 18 teachers. The staff reductions will result in increased class size, the elimination of programs, and a redistricting of the elementary schools. The recommendations also include eliminating transportation for students in grades 7-12, thus reducing school bus transportation to the minimum required by the state for children in K-6 living two or more miles from school.
The reality of the situation facing the School Committee and the town is that the economy has created a very difficult environment and less money will be available to spend on services. The proposed reductions will significantly weaken the education program we have in place. I believe it is important for every citizen in North Andover to engage in the process of analyzing your community’s priorities for spending the precious dollars that are available. As an educator, I believe that the education of the next generation is one of the most important responsibilities we have. Providing our students with a good education in difficult times will be hard, but it can become your choice to do so.
What follows is a portion of a presentation that I made to the School Committee and to the Finance Committee outlining the proposed reductions to the school system’s budget. For the complete detailed presentation, please follow the link below. If you have any questions about any of the issues associated with the budget for the next school year, please do not hesitate to telephone me at (978) 794-1503.
Sincerely,
William E. Allen, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Working Budget 2004 - Proposed Reductions
March 21, 2003
Budget Downloads
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FY04 Budget (810K PDF)
Page Last Modified Mon 07-16-2007 22:04