Revised Capital Budget Proposal 2-26-08

At yesterday's school board meeting, the Superintendent presented a revised facilities proposal to the board. It is a bare-bones, no frills, minimum to maintain the facilities. It appears to contain none of the items that many voters found objectionable in the recently defeated proposal (moving offices, new cafeteria, etc.). The total budget amount is $4.8 million.

However, it may have gone too far in the other direction. We do need to make sure our facilities are properly maintained and it's hard to make that judgement at this point.

Please understand that this is only the Superintendent's proposal to the board. The board can reject it or modify it any way they feel necessary. The proposal is shown below (click to enlarge).

Also, an assumption operating budget was presented for the 2008-2009 school year. This means it is based upon best estimates of state aid, increases in benefit costs, fuel costs, etc. but is otherwise business as usual (no changes to staffing, for example). It is the starting point for preparation of the actual budget, the first draft of which will be presented at the March 11 meeting.

There was no discussion of the issue that has been the subject of rumors the past few weeks regarding potential staffing changes.