Supt. proposes 6 percent budget hike for FY15

School Superintendent Jeff Granatino is proposing a 6 percent increase in next year’s school operating budget. Half of the funds (almost $1 million) would be for contract obligations, and the other half would go toward proposed program enhancements, additional textbooks, operational needs, and rising special needs costs. Granatino also recommended additional staffing to meet classroom enrollment targets, particularly at the first grade level.

While emphasizing that the budget is very preliminary and subject to various external factors such as the governor’s budget recommendations and local revenue forecasts, Granatino presented a best-case budget scenario of $35.33 million, an increase of nearly $2 million over the current FY14 operating budget.

The superintendent’s proposal is also much larger than the budget target established by Finance Director Jim Murgia, which calls for a 3 percent increase to $34.32 million.

The Local Revenue Forecast Committee, consisting of Murgia, Town Administrator Bill Friel, selectmen, and the Finance Committee, typically meet in late January or early February to set more definitive numbers once the governor has announced his plans for the state budget and local aid.

Over the past five years, the school budget has risen an average of four to five percent per year, except in FY12, when the budget decreased by 0.4 percent and there were staff reductions and cuts to operational supplies and textbooks.

Granatino outlined 18 programs that would make use of the additional funds under his best-case recommendation. Some included state-mandated programs in English Language Arts instruction; curriculum changes from the Mass. State Frameworks to the new Common Core standards; and the state-mandated model educator evaluation system. Other proposed enhancements include more staff and supplies for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) classes; special education support; more money for student mentoring and transition at CHS; extended day and tutoring programs; textbooks and instructional supplies; and restoration of the late bus at the middle and high schools.

Other proposals include the elimination of study halls and additional administrative assistance at the middle school; expanded foreign language offerings; “equitable” funding for extracurricular programs; professional development offerings and more support of maintenance and facilities.

In a preface to the budget presentation made to the committee on Monday, January 6, Granatino presented a report on class sizes.

According to the report, current class sizes in grade 1 are well above the recommended target of 18 to 20 students. At the middle school, average class sizes are at or below recommended guidelines except for Spanish, visual arts, technology, and PE-wellness. At the high school, class averages are at or below guidelines in all disciplines except for the elective Social Studies courses.

Reacting to the superintendent’s budget, School Committee member Bob Golledge noted that class size concerns were important to him, while committee member John Bonnanzio asked that Granatino divide his proposed increases into state-mandated enhancements and Granatino’s own recommendations.

In other news:

* Granatino will hold a parent meeting to discuss the findings of the School Start Time Subcommittee on Wednesday, January 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the CHS auditorium. Granatino plans to take parent feedback into account when making his final recommendations to the School Committee for next year’s start times, particularly for the middle and high schools.

* School Business Manager Ken Leon reported that bids have come in on the GMS-Hansen School window and door project and the bids are some $200,000 under the $1.748 million authorized by town meeting. Leon said the project is ready to begin the day that students leave for summer vacation. Repairs will be finished by the beginning of the next school year.

* Granatino announced two donations to the school system: one for $15,000 from Meditech to be used for technology funding and another for $500 from Austin’s Mobil on Route 138 for math programs.

* Canton High School will host a regional robotics competition on January 23.

* CHS student representative Caitlyn Feeney reported that students at the high school have been raising money for the Cradles to Crayons program, and the CHS senior class recently attended a panel discussion on college life by a group of Canton college freshmen. She also reported that students at the Luce School collected $400 for the Canton Food Pantry and the Toys for Tots Program.

* The School Committee will next meet on Thursday, January 16.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=23679

Posted by Mike Berger on Jan 9 2014. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.