Superintendent
Vicki Wright presented the board with a final draft
version of the proposed 2008-09 school year budget
on Monday.
The $41.8 million
proposal - which will be vetted by the board over
the coming weeks - would increase spending by 1.99
percent and the tax levy by 2.85 percent.
Besides those
changes proposed last week by the citizen's Budget
Advisory Committee (
see
story here),
the budget proposal also included $8,000
the board recommended to cover the
fees for students who want to take advanced
placement exams. The district had historically paid
those fees , but three years
ago passed the cost onto students as a result of
tough budgetary times.
Board members said
they wanted to make sure there were no impediments
for students who want to take challenging course
work.
Additionally, the final draft budget
proposal included an additional $400 for supplies
for the REACH programs in the elementary schools
that board members recommended.
Overall, budget highlights include:
$213,600
for the first year of a two-year computer
replacement phase-in that would also include
adaptive technology equipment for special education
students. The plan would receive BOCES aid and would
begin an initiative that has been delayed for three
years as a result of budget stresses.
A $309,750
increase in the fuel budget - up to $589,750 - to
address skyrocketing diesel and fuel costs.
$20,000 for an
inventory control system that was mandated by the
state audit.
$90,000 for field
trips.
$41,478 for an
automated pool cover. The cost of the cover, said
Energy Manager Matt Miller, would be recouped
through saved heating and water costs in 2.5 to
three years.
Inclusion of
$50,000 in the 2008-09 budget for the development of
a strategic plan for the district. The plan, the
Budget Advisory Committee said, would keep the
district moving towards the same goals even during
periods of change in the administration.
Restoration of an
elementary teaching position - and the $55,000
necessary for the position - proposed for removal
from the budget as a result of diminishing
enrollment in the elementary schools.
$27,500
for a part-time social worker at Pieter B. Coeymans
Elementary School to allow RCS to provide
educational services to pre-school students that RCS
must now pay tuition to provide services for.
Additionally,
savings are being found in reductions of:
$300,000 in
private tuition costs for special education
students.
$61,000 in
BOCES data processing costs
$110,000 in
bus purchase buyout costs
$300,000 in
payments on a 2003 Teachers Retirement System
incentive
$75,000 in
construction costs
$101,000
in natural gas and electricity as a result of
the success of the ongoing energy conservation
initiative in the district.
