Updated City Council Schedule

The City Council announced May 8th, the following changes.

May 29^th will be the public hearing on the budget, not May 22^nd

June 12^th is the planned vote on the budget.

May 8th and May 15th,  City Council Workshops sessions, other departments will be presenting

May 29th, City Council Meeting and Public Hearing on the budget,  Public Comment opportunities at the public hearing

June 12th is the expected vote on the budget.  If they can’t make a decision on the 12th, it could be extended until the 19th.

In most cases, Council meetings do not have public comment sections, but workshops do have comment sections.

Here is link to the video of the City Council meeting where the budget information was reviewed.

https://rochesternh.viebit.com/player.php?hash=Qr9oNzo0qSiz  Beginning at about the nine minute mark of the video the budget information is reviewed.

FY 2019 School Department Budgetcc (2)-1ckhj47

Some Additional information sent to City Council on May 6th.

FY2019SchoolDepartmentBudgetsupplement-1mppuab

Why should the City Council support the School District Budget proposal

Below are some of my notes from the presentation to the City Council.

1. It makes economic sense.  Supporting a strong school system in the City enhances the economic conditions in the city.  We help provide the workforce to the community. One example is 12 students entering the composite program at Great Bay Community College as Seniors at Spaulding High School.  They will complete the program and be available to work for local businesses at graduation. Home values increase when schools are supported by the community.  The opposite is true when funding is reduced.
2. There is a fundamental problem with the tax cap.  54% of the operating budget is covered by local taxes.  The CPI increase helps for that 54%. The CPI increase cannot support the loss of revenue and the new expenditures required by the State.  46% of the budget does not go up based on the CPI, but actually goes down. The loss of revenue does not remove the requirement to provide services.
3. The State stopped paying 35% of the NH Retirement employee rate in 2011.  That is $1,703,842 in next year’s budget.  If we still had the State paying 35%, our budget would be $1,703,842 lower.
   
4. The State Adequacy is reduced by $407,384 next year.
5. If we had building aide, it would have provided additional revenue of $820,479.
6. Special Education costs have increased for next year by $562,649.  Special Education requirements would supposed to be funded at the 40% level from the Federal Government.  They have never come close to that amount.
   
7. Medicaid, another revenue stream that supports our required services for special education students will be going down by $360,000 next year.  
8. The tax cap places city schools at a disadvantage.  Schools with town meetings vote on a budget, if it fails they have a default budget.  The default budget takes into account reduced revenues from the State, increased expenses from the State, and bonding projects already approved..  It allows continuing services to be provided. The tax cap does not do that.
9. Communities that do not get State adequacy funds, meaning they are property rich, are not impacted when the adequacy aide is reduced.
10. Look at our cost per pupil.  Spaulding High’s cost per pupil is early 20% below the state average.
    
11. Look at what the budget would be if we met the average cost per pupil of the State. Just the difference at the High School would be 1400 students X $3,070 = $4,298,000.
    
12. Communities with a tax cap, Nashua, Manchester, Somersworth, Dover.  All have had a tax cap adjustment at some point.
13. FY 2019 School Department Budgetcc (2)-1ckhj47

Here are the budget adjustments made so far this year.  This is part of the proposed budget going to the Board for First Reading on March 13, 2014.

The first page of the document is a summary of the reductions and additional revenue.

The second page is a list of positions added back into the tax cap budget.

The third page is a list of the positions still remaining out of the budget.

Thanks,
Mike

FY 2015 Revised Budget as of March 6 2014

Here is the powerpoint from the January 30, 2014 Board meeting.

 

budget January 2014

Here is the proposed budget and budget presentation from Thursday, January 31st.

Thanks,
Mike

 

Proposed FY2014 Budget

 

FY 2014 Budget Presentation

I thought a  list of the proposed personnel cuts on this blog might help everyone.

1.  Grade 3 teacher at William Allen School. (we have a teacher retiring, and the second grade is small this year) $71,881

2.  Grade 1 teacher at Chamberlain Street School. (I would like to find other cuts, so we don’t need to make this cut) $71,881

3.  Reading Specialist at Chamberlain Street School. (I think this may change to a special education teacher’s positions) $71,881

4.  1/2 elementary special education coordinator (the elementary special education coordinator would include pre-school and funded by a grant) $36,839

5.  Reading Specialist at McClelland School (They would go from 2.5 to 1.5 positions) $71,881

6  3 Speech Pathologists at the Pre-School.  We have four pathologists.  The IEP don’t require 4.  We can still meet student’s individual needs, and have teachers and aides provide quality educational programs. $215,643

6A.  1 Academic Itinerant, and 1 FTE from PE, Art and Music (we plan on spreading fewer staff members out over the 8 elementary schools, but offering similar services.

7.  Middle School Teacher (to be decided what subject) $71,881

8. Reduce Guidance from 20 to 10 extra days at the Middle School and High School.  $34,175

9. 3 High School teachers, subjects to be decided. $215,643

Total Reduction:  $1,077,352. (some small reductions may have been left out of this list)

We would have a 3 teachers, one guidance counselor and have a program for 10 out-of-district students.  The site would be away from the campus of Spaulding High School and Rochester Middle School.  We would recommend contracted services for this program, with our ability to control cost, but the staff hired by the vendor.

On Thursday, March 18, 2010,  the Board recommended an operating budget for next year to the City Council. 

The remaining positions are not included in next year’s budget. 

Half Time Curriculum Coordinator,  (this will be grant funded)

Human Resource Secretary 

1/2 time School Psychologist

Maintenance Position

Willam Allen Special Education Position

Chamberlain Reading teacher and Reading First Coordinator

McClelland Classroom teacher

McClelland Special Education Teacher

Rochester Middle School

Counselor, Family and Consumer Science teacher, and a Special Education Teacher

Spaulding High School

Business teacher, Special Education Teacher,student services counselor and Safety team leader (a certified teacher)

 The Board agreed to add the following positions back into the budget:

Elementary academic instructors to provide planning time for elementary teachers

Grade 2 positions at William Allen

Wellness Instructor at Rochester Middle School

English and Social Studies at Spaulding High School

 Increased two 1/2 time kindergarten positions to full-time. 

These additions and savings cost approximately $530,000.

Rochester Teachers Agree to Freeze Salaries and Steps for a Year

 

ROCHESTER, NH. – The Rochester Federation of Teachers and the Rochester School Board have agreed to a new one- year contract.

Superintendent Mike Hopkins expressed pleasure that the RFT recognizes the budgetary and fiscal issues facing the school district and city this year and proposed a salary and step freeze.

 “The teachers understand the current economic climate and are concerned with potential budget cuts in the school district. We recognize the challenges our families in Rochester are facing and we remain committed to working with the School Board during these difficult times,” said RFT President Peg Hurd.

The contract would be effective August 27, 2010 until August 28, 2011. The Rochester Federation of Teachers’ membership in an overwhelming vote ratified the contract on Monday, February 8, 2010 and the Rochester School Board approved the contract on Thursday, February 11, 2010. 

The terms of the contract are:  One year contract with no changes to current contract language except where noted below.  Steps will be frozen for one year and with no adjustment to the salary schedule. No teacher will move up on the salary schedule during the next year.  It is understood by the parties that the salary schedule with annual step increases will begin again in the 2011-2012 school year.  All benefits, including health insurance remain the same in the one year contract.

 The Rochester School Board agreed to these terms, since it saves $330,000 in the current proposed budget and caps spending on salaries for teachers for one year.  This equates to saving more than four teaching positions in the District. 

The City Council still must approve the cost items in this contract.   The Council may consider the contract on March 16^th, as part of a special meeting after a workshop session.

Here is the up to date list of the budget reductions recommended by the management team.

 

	Rochester School Department
	FY 2011
	Staff Reductions
				Management
				Team
Position		Location		Recommendations
Half Time Curriculum Coord – District to Title 1 Funded		SAU Office		$                          45,213
Human Resource Secretary		SAU Office		$                          46,694
Psychologist				$                          48,813
Maintenance				$                          49,234
Special Education Teacher		Allen		$                          69,960
Grade 2 Teacher		Allen		$                          69,960
Add 1/2 Kindergarten Teacher		Allen		$                       (34,980)
Reading First Teacher		Chamberlain		$                          91,524
Reading Specialist		Chamberlain		$                          69,960
Elementary Itinerant		Travel		$                          86,090
Elementary Itinerant		Travel		$                          66,964
Elementary Itinerant		Travel		$                          68,256
Elementary Itinerant		Travel		$                          66,971
Add a 1.5 position for Art, Music, PE		Travel		$                     (104,940)
Classroom Teacher		McClelland		$                          69,960
Special Education Teacher		McClelland		$                          69,960
Add 1/2 Kindergarten Teacher		McClelland		$                       (34,980)
Wellness Teacher		Middle School		$                          69,960
FCS Teacher		Middle School		$                          69,960
Grade 8 Special Education Teacher		Middle School		$                          69,960
Guidance Counselor		Middle School		$                          69,960
Special Education Teacher		High School		$                          69,960
Student Services Counselor		High School		$                          75,126
Business or FCS Teacher		High School		$                          69,960
Social Studies Teacher		High School		$                          69,960
English Teacher		High School		$                          69,960
Safety Team Leader		High School		$                          69,960
Add 2 27.5 Para-educators		High School		$                       (32,322)
Total				$                    1,417,104

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.

I have included below the information about the proposed Personnel reductions.  This is the beginning stages of our budget preparation.  We are currently considering three options for the budget.  Option #1 is an increase of 2.1 %.  Option #2 is an increase of 3.8%.  Option #3 is an increase of 5.66 % and would continue all of the positions and programs that we have this year. 

The spreadsheet  below describes which positions would be reduced under option #1 or option #2.  We anticipate an increase of 2.9 million dollars in State Revenue, so all three options require no increase in local property taxes.  There will be many changes throughout the budget process. 

The budget will be approved by March 25^th, and sent to the City Council.  The City Council will not approve the budget until late June. 

 The following positions would be reduced in option #1.  Option #1 is a 2.1% budget increase, with no increase in local tax dollars.

 

 

 

Full Time Special Education Teacher	McClelland
Full Time Special Education Teacher	ER
1/2 Reading Specialist	McClelland
Grade 4/5 Teacher	McClelland
Itinerant
Itinerant
Itinerant
Itinerant
Special Education Assistant	School Street
Special Education Assistant	Nancy Loud
4/5ths Guidance – 50/50 split w/grant	Annex/Chamb
1 Full Time Guidance	McClelland
Guidance	Allen
1 Full Time Reading Specialist	Chamberlain
Eliminate Maple Teaching Principal	Maple
Maple 1/2 time Principal 1/2 Reading First Coord.( this position would be added into the budget)	Maple
1/2 Asst Principal-Allen	Allen
1/2 Asst Principal-Chamberlain	Chamberlain
1/2 Asst Principal-ER	ER
1/2 Asst Principal-McC	McClelland
Reading First Position (currently 75% in budget)	Allen
Reading First Position (currently 75% in budget)	Allen
Reading First Position (currently 50% in budget)	Maple
Reading First Position (currently 50% in budget)	Chamberlain
Reading First Position (currently 50% in budget)	Chamberlain
Wellness Teacher	Middle School
Excel Guidance Position	Middle School
Building Aide	Middle School
Part Time Main Office Secretary	Middle School
Building Trades Program	Middle School
Computer Teacher	Middle School
Reading Specialist	Middle School
Special Education Teacher	Middle School
Go from Two Nurses to One Nurse and an LNA	High School
Latin Teacher	High School
Add  One Teacher – To be Determined	High School
Science Teacher	High School
Music Teacher	High School
Tech Center – Part Time FEA Teacher	High School
General Supplies	High School
Tech Center Supplies	High School
Special Education Para-Educators (2)	High School
PE Teacher	High School
Special Education Teacher	High School
Tech Teacher	High School
Summer Tutoring	50% reduction
School Year Tutoring	50% reduction
Summer School	50% reduction
Curriculum Coordinator
Grounds Maintenance
Special Education Teacher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The following positions would be in the budget if option #2 is approved. The positions not in this list that are posted above would be reduced.  Option #2 is a 3.8% budget increase with no increase in local tax dollars.

Reading First Position (currently 75% in budget)	Allen
Reading First Position (currently 75% in budget)	Allen
Reading First Position (currently 50% in budget)	Maple
Reading First Position (currently 50% in budget)	Chamberlain
Reading First Position (currently 50% in budget)	Chamberlain

Building Trades Program	Middle School
Computer Teacher	Middle School
Reading Specialist	Middle School
Special Education Teachers	Middle School

Special Education Para-Educators (2)	High School
PE Teacher	High School
Special Education Teacher	High School
Tech Teacher	High School