Budget Information

The Rochester School Board began consideration of the 2010-2011 school year budget on February 1st.  The total proposed operating budget is $54,455,200.  This is an increase of $126,522 from last year.  This proposed operating budget and the revenue projections meet the tax cap requirements and a zero local tax increase.

The operating budget is impacted by a major increase in Health Insurance of 25% for a total of $1,375,829.  This increase is based on estimates from the Local Government Center and are the maximum increase.  We usually hear in May the actual rate increase.  Hopefully, the rate is reduced in May.

The Health Insurance increase is offset by significant staff reductions.  The reduction amounts to 1.4 million dollars.  The list of positions are:  one elementary classroom teacher, 2.5 traveling elementary staff,  2 middle school teachers,  1 middle school guidance counselor,  3 high school teachers, 3 special education teachers, one special education counselor, moving a curriculum coordinator to grant funding, a Safety Team Leader, a Human Resources Secretary,  a school psychologist, and one maintenance staff position.

The next largest increase is in aide salaries, and clerical salaries.  We are starting the third year of a contract with the para-professional bargaining unit.

The Committee structure of the Board allows each sub-committee to review their portion of the budget.  The Building Committee’s budget has decreased by $446,811 due to a decrease in the cash CIP.  We have reduced requests for cash funded repairs to buildings.

The personnel budget has increased $1,100,713, mostly due to Health Insurance rates.

The Finance Committee budget has dropped by $586,710, due to a drop in debt service Principal and Interest.

The Instruction Committee has increased $26,836 for a .6% increase in that portion of the budget.

Special Services has increased $32,494 due to transportation cost increases.

The cash CIP portion of the budget is $220,00 and the bonded CIP proposal is $1,024,500.  The cash CIP projects are electrical upgrades, painting (both interior and exterior), East Rochester roof replacement, walls, soundproofing, ceiling tiles and HVAC work, High School attic and auditorium sprinkler installation.

3 thoughts on “Budget Information

  1. too bad we have to layoff teaching positions…any thought to asking the unions to absorb the healthcare increases?…I’m a non-union worker and my insurance went up $120/month…we should also consider requiring to pay (something) for sports programs if a student wants to participate…don’t shut out those that can prove hardship, but if we are laying off teachers, how can we justify not addressing the cost of athletics?…I also noticed not one the positions being reduced is administrative…again (in my opinion), if the teacher positions affect the classroom, they should be the last affected…I hope the board can get creative here…

  2. I can’t discuss what we are talking with the bargaining units about. The non-union staff and custodians are working under a new health plan this year that has saved the employees and the District.

    The Curriculum position is an administrative position. In the last year we have moved the equivalent of three full time positions from being District funded. The budget reflects a 7.3 % decrease in administrative costs and 3.7% decrease in the teacher salary line.

    I am sure the the Board will try to reduce the number of teaching positions on the cut list. I hope with some insurance savings and other ideas we are working on, the list can be cut in half.

  3. Why not have the employees pay more into the insurance to cover the increase as well as finding a cheaper plan that will save jobs. I would rather pay more more insurance than lose my job and work for less anyway some place else.