School committee tackles budget concerns for 2009
By Michaela Kennedy

The Jamestown School Committee spent over two hours reviewing the district's revised operating budget at its Feb. 7 meeting. The school budget workshops will continue tonight, with a final vote for recommendation scheduled for the Feb. 28 meeting.

Superintendent Marcia Lukon provided the committee with updated budget figures, reflecting reductions in retiree health benefits, health insurance costs, and capital reserve projects. Lukon also noted four major areas that make up significant increases to the budget. Salaries increased by $139,000, benefits for employees and retirees rose by $214,000, and tuitions ballooned over $359,000. "Tuition to North Kingstown alone has an annual price tag rising over $2.1 million," Lukon added.

Director of Student Services Robert Fricklas explained a reason for North Kingstown High School increases in tuition was because students with special needs require stronger instructional support. "The average rise in tuition fees is between three and four percent," he said.

Fricklas suggested exploring a community-based learning initiative to support education while keeping costs down. "We are looking to use community resources, like the farms, and marine services, especially for those (students) who are at risk of dropping out. The curriculum would be different, but would be standards driven. Jamestown is the absolute perfect place for this to happen," he said.

Facilities Director Lewis Kitts noted that after school programs have increased and 90 percent of the rooms are used in both schools. "Gym programs are going later at night. After the youth program, there's an adult program, which is new," he commented.

The superintendent again recommended an employment change in the budget to include a full-time principal at the Melrose Avenue School. According to the acting business manager Jane Littlefield, the difference in the salary would be $6,500. However, Littlefield explained that the assistant principal position had previously been budgeted with yearly pay increases. "If the former assistant principal had stayed three years, the difference in pay would have been under $2,000," the business manager said. Lukon emphasized that the extra money would be well spent, since a principal would work throughout the summer. "It's a solid recommendation," she said. Comments from the committee echoed support of the change.

The total spending plan of $11,766,331 represents a 5.99 percent increase over the current 2008 budget, a five percent increase in the general fund contribution. Committee Chairwoman Cathy Kaiser explained the ironic upshot of the descending tax levy, which makes budget increases under the limit imprudent. "This committee feels strongly that with the decreasing cap, the budget should be held to the cap of five percent," Kaiser noted.

Kaiser agreed that, with a declining cap leading up to 2013, the district will be able to raise less money. "The philosophy behind the 3050 (law) is our costs should stay within five percent now and four percent later," she explained.

Committee member Julia Held commented that instructional materials fees were going down quite a bit. Principal Kathy Almanzor noted that the new math program implemented this year impacted the reduction.

Committee member William "Bucky" Brennan voiced a strong opinion against funding the student assistance counselor.

In a public forum, Anthony Rafanelli, chairman of the Special Education Local Advisory Committee asked for more time to review the proposed budget. Rafanelli thanked the administration for their work on a difficult budget, but at the same time expressed concern about lay-offs. He noted that SELAC planned to hold a special meeting on Feb. 26 to look at the draft. "We totally oppose any further reductions to the special education staff," Rafanelli added.

In other business, the committee approved appointments to fill school staff vacancies. Andrea Brayman was appointed as a parttime physical education/health teacher. Debbie Saul was approved as administrative assistant to the director of student services, and Margaret Moretti as school secretary. The committee also approved by unanimous vote Karyn Kauffman's request for maternity leave, and by a 4-1 vote Sara Sweetman's request to continue during the 2008-09 school year as a part-time teacher-in-residence with the Guiding Education in Math and Science Network project. Kaiser noted that the new hires were filling vacant positions, not creating new jobs.