budget questions from the board of education

8/8/2019 Budget questions from the Board of Education

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Board Member Questions

1. Our total need is $155M: does this reflect what we need in our appropriation from City or would we subtract ECS, the other revenue sources, our carryover and our ne

balance in the Xerox account?

#1 - The $155M is what we need from the City. The Excess Cost/State Agency Placement dollarshave been included, all revenues have been considered that offset the budget, $100,000 carryoveralso been included. The Xerox funds have been put into our 10/11 budget and any surplus from

10/11 will carryover to 11/12.

2. Are the amounts available from the carryover, Xerox account and federal job fundsincluded in the $155M or are these funds available for the BOE to fund some of the

areas subject to potential cuts?

#2 - Staff has been allocated to the Education Job Funds Grant for 11/12. At this time, there a

no additional funds available to offset any potential cuts. We hope we will not have to use all theXerox settlement to balance the 2010-11 operating budget which was significantly under budget.

3. In the list of cuts (pp. 8-9), we have $344K for elementary teacher reductions listwice-- as teacher reductions and reduction in reserves. Has this cut been double

counted?

#3 - Page 9 (Elementary Schools) is an addition of 4 elementary teachers that have been includedthe school level for known enrollment needs. Page 9 (District) is a reduction of 4 reserve teacherthat is included each budget season for unanticipated enrollment. It has not been double countePage 8 and 9 are a summary staff changes.

4. The list of cuts (pp. 8-9) indicates a reduction of one school-to-career staff memat each high school. However, the Object Code for BMHS and NHS indicates that onl

of a school-to-career counselor is being cut at each school. Please advise which

correct.

#4 - There are two positions in School to Career. One is a teaching position the other is a guidanposition. This is indicated as to a 0.5 teaching position at each location and 0.5 guidance positioneach location.

5. With respect to the high school athletic teams, what is the breakdown of theteams/programs that are being eliminated? I am particularly concerned about any

diminution of our swim team which attracts good students and has had success secur

scholarship aid. If we must evaluate sports teams, we should evaluated each team o

its merits and evaluate cost with number of students involved.

#5 - Co-op teams - boys and girls swim team and ice hockey are being proposed to be eliminated

Boys swim $17,500 18 students

Girls swim $17,500 30 studentsIce hockey $38,000 20 students

6. With respect to the high school athletic teams, has any evaluation been undertakenconsider the impact of a limited pay-to-play system (and, in particular, if such

system is implemented and students on free and reduced lunch were to be exempted,

would revenue be sufficient to sustain all existing programs)?

#6 - No evaluation has taken place on pay-to-play, however, with recent information we will evalthis option.


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7. Within the Superintendents budget on page 68, under object code 331, there is anappropriation for legal fees of $205,000. However, given the involvement of

corporation counsel, the lower rates which were negotiated and the fact that certa

of the contracts to be negotiated should not need counsel for effective protection

taxpayers interests, that appropriation could, in my opinion, be safely reduced.

#7 - This account has been underfunded for years. The appropriation for legal fees does take int

account the use of Corporation Counsel for services within their realm.

8. We show budgeted raises for the H R Director and Asst. Supt. in each particular liitem, yet we also show a reserve of $25K for potential raises for these same posit

(in Object Code 150 of the Finance Departments budget on page 92). We should not

any increase for positions for which the contract expires as of July 1.

#8 - All CAST will take a 0% increase for 2011/12 and the budget will be reflected accordingly.Object 150 can be reduced to reflect this adjustment less the dollars needed for the COO contracsalary for 10/11 and who will also take no increase for 2011/12.

9. Within administrative operations, the COO salary is listed incorrectly as $163,123This amount should be changed. Also, because this is a newly-contracted position

no raise is shown for 2011-2012, there should be no unsettled contract issue sho

in the Finance Department for this post.

#9 - Contract was signed after the budget document was printed and the adjusted salary will bereflected in the Board approved budget.

10. In Department 53 (for Human Resources), there is a raise provided for the directorYet, there is no contract yet signed for 2011-2012 (the current contract is a sing

year that expires at the end of the current fiscal year). Therefore, the salary f

this post should be in-line with market forces (an annual rate of $130,00 would ap

appropriate, particularly given what the much-larger City of Bridgeport pays is

interim chief operating officer).

#10The base salary of the Human Resources Officer for 2010-11 is $145,266. The amount thashows in the budget book represents the total minus seven unpaid furlough days that were agreefor the year with the understanding that the full amount would be the basis for negotiation in 2012. Other human resources departments have different staff configurations and differentresponsibilities. In Norwalk the Human Resources Officer serves as the district facilitator forTEAM, the CEU coordinator, chief recruiter and, most recently, the benefits manager.

11. In the H R budget (on page 72), we list overtime (object code 130). This should beeliminated. We should also eliminate advertising (object code 540) as there are

multiple free ways to advertise openings. Furthermore, given the high unemploymen

rates, can we have explained why there is a need for advertising and recruitment

budgets?

#11The advertising budget has been drastically reduced in recent years due to the shift from padvertising to website advertising. In 2005-06 the advertising allocation was $54,000. It is now$10,000. There are some circumstances when targeted advertising is needed to attract unique anhard to fill positions (ex. speech pathologists, nurses) and to maintain our minority recruitmentinitiative. The state no longer support CT REAP and Norwalk now pays $600 per year as part oregional cooperative to maintain this critical website link.


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12. The HR Director is paid a monthly stipend for travel for which there is no accountrequired. Therefore, there should not be an additional sum allocated for travel o

$900 (which would equate to an additional 1800 miles per year).

#13The 10 month travel stipend is in line with other administrators who are encouraged tomaintain visibility in the schools. The HR Director has regular meetings at labor board activitiHartford and Wethersfield.

13. There is $100,000 budgeted for unemployment compensation (object code 250), yet weeliminating a large number of positions. By what standard was this cost calculate

# 13 - This indeed may be under funded due to the possibility of reductions in force and the extenbenefits for unemployment. The budgeted amount is based on past history.

14. Within the HR Budget, can we receive clarification as to why there is a need foradditional training for the staff (object code 301), what justifies the significan

increase in object code 330 (for professional technical services) and what are the

actual costs of training TEAM program mentors (who, I understand, volunteer).

#14The 330 account covers contract commitments to NFEP and ESG for tuition reimbursemeand professional development. In addition mandatory training such as sexual harassment foradministrators and first aid for administrators and secretaries come from this account. Schiegetesting for custodial candidates comes from this account. The TEAM program (formerly BEST) longer supported by the state. We have covered local training through Title 11a carryover monthis year, but will not have the luxury next year. Mentors do volunteer (although he state is offea $500 stipend this year) however.

15. Can you provide clarification as to all consultants and advisors who are paid forservices with respect to object code 330 (of the HR budget) and with respect to an

other departments mentoring, advising, counseling and training of professional st

#15 - The following were paid from the 330 account: Cooperative Education Services, General A(On line Application System), Schiege Associates, Inc, Safety Priority, Occupational Health ServGlenn Investigations, Anti Defamation League of Bnai Brith, and individual workshop presentNFEP and ESG members who pursue approved coursework are reimbursed from this account.

16. Within the Instruction Budget (page 77), there is a considerable increase over 201 2011 for object codes 645 and 690 (textbooks and other supplies and materials).

What is the basis for these significant increases?

#16. - Code 645textbooksincreases covers new chemistry books and AP course books forEnglish plus any new classes. This account is for K-12. This years budget was insufficient.

17. In the Instruction Budget, on page 77, under object code 733, what is the Sigma

software? What explains the increase in this object code?

#17 - Sigma accounts for a significant portion of this line increase (44k). This software will expathe analysis capabilities of the Online Student Data Portal that is currently in use as a tool toimprove instruction based on student achievement measures. The software would begin tobridge the gap between the state proposed longitudinal student data system and the currentOnline Student Data Portal being used in Norwalk. Sigma would provide instant access andanalysis to student data including academic achievement (CMT, CAPT, DRA, DRP, reportcard grades, etc.) as well as discipline, attendance, etc. The benefit of the system is that itanalyses and reports at the teacher, building, and central office level, providing a real-time data

to provide information and not just data.


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18. Within the Instruction budget, there must be reconciliation between the amount set

forth in the Asst. Supts contract, and the amount set forth in the budget (page 7

object code 112).

#18 - Salaries for 10-11 reflect furlough days subtracted from the base salary which is equivalenthe salary increase for 10-11.

19. The Adult Education budget does not appear to include any offset for revenues. Al

there is no note as to whether the salaries for the 45 instructors are for those

valuable courses which must be provided (for adult remediation, citizenship and GE

attainment) or for enrichment courses. Also, there is a note as to the amount of

state reimbursement for adult education, but not to which line items it is applied

(page 78).

#19 - The Adult Ed budget pertains to only the High School Diploma program, GED, and ESLprograms, all required by the CSDE. The 45 teachers pertain to the required courses only. TheEnrichment program is self-sufficient and operates at no cost to the district.

State reimbursement is based on the total amount of local contributions to the required program

20. Within the Pupil Personnel Services budget, has there been any attempt made to

negotiate the tuitions charged by out-of-district placements?

#20Schools set their rates and the rates are approved by the state department of special educaThey are not negotiable.

21. In object code 331 (Legal Fees on page 87), with the lower rates that have been

negotiated, and the implementation of better controls by the Director, it would ap

that the $140,000 suggested appropriation could be reduced.

#21This figure is the departments estimated budget for these services and was requested prionegotiations for the new attorney contract. As is always the case, this figure may be more or less

22. The interim budget coordinator is currently paid approximately $83,000. However, appropriation for 2011-2012 is $104,873 (object code 126 on page 92). If the posi

is to be filled, a lower salary could be established.

#22 - By the ESG contract, the budget coordinator position in 10/11 salary should be $102,315. Tsalary for 11/12 by contract is $104,873. As in interim positions, a person is paid on a per diem b

23. The reserve within administrative operations for unsettled contracts of $24,354

should be reduced to $0 as there are no unsettled contracts.

#23 - This will be reduced in the BOE approved budget less the adjustment for the COO contracsalary.

24. There have been questions raised by retirees who were continuing to receive benefithat they had rejected that we do not adequately purge our roles. What efforts ha

been undertaken to be certain that all retirees who are receiving insurance benefi

are alive and want them?

#24 - The finance department, in conjunction with the Human Resources, department are presenworking together with insurance companies to review and revise all membership eligibility.


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25. What is the cost of maintaining the Roton planetarium? Is there any consideration

using the planetarium as a revenue source?

#25 - The cost for operating the planetarium is one teachers salary and benefits ($91,000). Suppand bus transportation are about $10,000. When outside groups use this they are charged $2.50

per student. This has brought revenue of $500.

26. What is the cost of all library clerks in the middle schools and elementary school

#26 4.0 Middle School Library Clerks work 37.5 hours per week - $263,838 includes salaryand benefits.

12.0 Elementary School Library Clerks work 32.5 hours per week - $695,702 includes saland benefits.

27. With the Facilities Budget, what are the specific costs being paid for storage

containers at all schools (object code 440)? What efforts have been undertaken to

purge these containers and either sell them or, if they are leased, to return them

#27 - We rent a total of 9 containers @ $70 & $75 each p/mo. Total yearly cost for all 9 is $7,680will attempt to return the two PRMS units by 12/2011. We have been trying to get the NHS & BMbands to pay for their units (2 each) for the past few years.

28. In Facilities, under object code 421, the trash disposal budget does not show a

significant reduction from last year, when we were assured by Interim Supt. Nast t

recycling efforts were being aggressively undertaken. What efforts are we current

undertaking to promote recycling?

#28 - All 19 schools are aggressively participating in recycling programs and our efforts will conin 2011 & beyond. While the amount of recycling being generated at our schools has increased,

so has the amount of non recyclable waste that must be disposed of at a cost, as well as e-wasteand other materials we must pay to have properly disposed.

29. Finally, what would be the impact of merging the duties of the Coordinator of

Maintenance and the Coordinator of Custodians? What is the role of the building

principals in overseeing the custodians assigned to their buildings?

# 29 - Merging both would have a serious impact on the daily supervision of 13 maintenance stafand 93 custodians. Maintenance project & general work task delays would be experiencedthroughout the district. The level of cleanliness at the schools would decrease. Productivity woulseverely affected and service levels would be lowered. While building principals provide animportant role in overseeing the general custodial activities during the day, their time is very lim

& their priorities should always be focused on the children & learning.

budget questions from the board of education

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