TO:    School Committee
FROM:   James Marini, Interim Superintendent
RE:  FY09 Budget Priorities
DATE:  October 2, 2007 – updated October 12, 2007

To help focus the discussion on budget priorities for FY 09, I thought it might be helpful for me to frame the issues as I see them.  This is intended as a working document only and will be modified as we work through the process of developing budget guidelines.  My goal is to receive from the Committee a clear statement of how you want me to proceed in developing the FY 09 budget. 

Included in the School Committee packet are the proposed system goals for 2007-2008.  These goals are presented for School Committee review and to inform budget guidelines for FY09.  The goals were derived from planning sessions with the Leadership Team and are intended to guide the work of the school department.  While the goals are comprehensive and not intended to be accomplished in one year, they form the foundation upon which our decisions will be based.  After a full review, the School Committee will be asked to vote to support the system goals.

Other factors that will impact the budget include the following:

• This is a contract year with all units up for negotiations.  A numerical factor will need to be built into the budget as a placeholder in anticipation of a settlement.  Under no circumstances should the placeholder be considered the settlement target.  It is needed solely for the purpose of having a funded line item in the budget to support negotiations.  
• Class size guidelines are needed to develop the budget.  For FY09, we will use the following guidelines:
• Grades K-2 class size 18-22; grades 3-5 class size 23-25.  No class will exceed 29 students.
• At the secondary level class size will vary at both the upper and lower ends.
• Energy costs are expected to increase this winter.  We will need to budget accordingly.
• Potential costs associated with the recommendations of the NEASC visiting team.  We will have a better handle on this after the visit later in October.
• Technology - While the system has done a very good job of purchasing technology equipment and has increased the tech support staff, there is a serious and growing need for district-wide leadership to coordinate our technology initiatives and to address the absence of instructional technology for students.

Members of the School Committee have submitted goals they would like included in the system goals for the 2007-2008 school year.  I have tried to combine these goals into coherent and achievable action items.  It is important to note that the goals are appropriately complex and will not be completed in one year. 

• Curriculum 
• Establish academic benchmark standards for all students at each grade level in mathematics, science, English/language arts, and social studies.  Ensure that the standards are aligned with the State Frameworks.
• Develop common assessments for each subject area to measure student achievement and inform instruction to increase individual student achievement.
• Adhere to the established five-year cycle for curriculum review.
• Review student placement in courses at NAHS to ensure student access to appropriate level courses in all subjects.
• Review Advanced Placement offerings and determine if additional AP courses are warranted.
• Analyze student participation and achievement rate in AP classes and develop a plan to increase participation 
  
  
• Administration
• Support teachers, principals, and staff through open, responsive communications and in providing clear direction through appropriate academic focus in the context of a supportive and caring environment.
• Support the NAMS principal’s goals as she strives to:
• reduce and/or balance class size while maintaining the team concept
• raise academic achievement by identifying essential standards, creating common assessments, and implementing tiered instruction.
• Provide clear and consistent financial information to the School Committee and the Finance Committee.
• Write and publish periodic information about the school system for the community.
• Work closely with the Town Manager’s office to facilitate positive working relationships and to identify areas of possible consolidation of school and municipal departments/functions.
• Continue the process of developing and implementing a new teacher evaluation system for the NAPS.
• Develop a short-term plan that addresses the structure of the technology department including district wide leadership and school/town collaboration that supports technology infrastructure.

I hope this provides appropriate background information for our discussion.