Farmington Public SchoolsThe Budgeting Process for 2014-2015

Budget Priorities and Guidelines:Compelling Mission Statement

The 2014-2015 budget will be developed to provide the resources necessary to move the Farmington Public Schools closer to the school district mission and established student performance goals:

• Critical Thinking and Reasoning

• Collaboration and Communication

• Problem Solving and Innovation

• Self-Direction and Resourcefulness

The school district administration will re-emphasize the comprehensive zero-based budget development process. Each account will be built from the ground up or a base of zero. Every proposed item will be reconsidered in this context.

The budget will be developed within established Board of Education policy guidelines including Policy and Regulation 6151 – Class Size and Policy and Regulation 9012 – Legal Responsibilities of the Farmington Board of Education.

District Enrollment and Budget Forecasting:

The October 2013 Enrollment Report indicates that there were 3,959 students registered in the Farmington Public Schools on October 1, 2013. This enrollment includes 3,847 resident students, 1 tuition student and 111 students enrolled through the Open Choice Program. There are 55 fewer students than were registered on October 1, 2012

Of the districts’ seven schools, six schools had lower than projected enrollments for the 2013-14 school year. West Woods Upper Elementary had a 7% higher than projected enrollment as of October 1, 2013. In the 2014-15 school year, projected enrollment will increase by another 7%.

Farmington Public SchoolsBudget Timeline

November 18, 2013 – BOE Reviews & Considers Budget Development Priorities & Guidelines

November 21, 2013 – DLC Workshop

December 9, 2013 – BOE Reviews & Considers Capital Improvement Projects for 2014-2015

November 21 – December 20, 2013 – Building & Program Budget Development

December 20, 2013 – Preliminary Building/Program Based Budgets

January 6 - 8, 2014 - Building Based Budget Reviews

January 13, 2014 – Superintendent Completes 2014-2015 Budget Draft #1

January 23, 2014 – Capital Improvement Budget to Town Manager

February 4, 2014 – BOE Receives Superintendent’s Budget

February 8 – 12, 2014 – BOE Budget Workshops

February 15, 2014 – BOE Budget Submitted to Town Manager

March 11, 2014 – TENTATIVE First Public Hearing on Town/School Budget

March, 12, 2014 – TENTATIVE Board and Town Council Budget Workshops

April 7, 2014 – TENTATIVE Second Public Hearing on Town School Budget

April 21, 2014 –Town Meeting to Consider 2014-2015 Budget

May 1, 2014 – TENTATIVE Townwide Referendum on Town & School Budgets

Two Year Budget Forecast:SALARIESThis category includes the contractual increases for all bargaining groups, including recently negotiated contracts. The current positions were brought forward and updated using the agreed upon contracts.  BENEFITSThis estimate includes a trending factor for the balance of this year and fiscal year 2015. Also having a positive effect on the 2014 - 15 health insurance budget will be the negotiated high deductible HSA plans in both the teachers and administrators contracts beginning in the 2014-2015 fiscal years. All employees will now be on the high deductible HSA health plans. SERVICESThis area includes such items as transportation, tuition, public utilities and repair of buildings. The transportation line items represent the rates negotiated in our transportation contract. The tuition account reflects current placements only and does not provide any unanticipated placements. The Board has contracted with various energy providers for its electric and natural gas needs. We have also implemented many energy efficient projects. These arrangements and projects have limited the increase in the account to a nominal amount. A survey of all buildings has been accomplished regarding building repairs, and those projects will be included in the 2014-15 budget. SUPPLIESThe Board has historically limited its instructional supply accounts to modest levels. A percentage increase lower than the Consumer Price Index for educational supplies has been factored into the forecast. EQUIPMENTWe continue to upgrade our technology equipment throughout the district, according to our five-year plan. The Coordinator of Technology will explain the district needs at an upcoming Board meeting.  DUES AND FEESThe administration will work with the Town and our insurance agent regarding our property and liability policies. It is expected that this account, along with the membership account, will remain flat as compared to our current budget.