1	Medway Public Schools Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Working Draft Presentation December 7, 2006
2	Our Challenge Serious town-wide financial constraints over the past two years have resulted in a substantial number of staff, program, and service cuts by the school department. The cumulative effect of reductions made in FY06 and FY07 has had, and will continue to have, a detrimental impact on the quality of education that Medway students receive. Therefore, some vital staff, programs, and services must be restored in FY08 if the Medway Public Schools is to continue its proud tradition of “excellence for all through learning.”
3	Where Did We Start? FY05 Voted Town Meeting Budget $19,900,703 FY05 Adjusted Budget (-$20,000 to assist with town deficit) $19,880,703 FY06 School Committee Voted “Basic Needs” Budget $21,051,096 FY06 “Level Service” Budget $20,566,535 FY06 Voted Town Meeting Budget $19,562,539 Required Cuts from “Basic Needs” Budget ($1,488,557) Required Cuts from “Level Service” Budget ($1,003,996) Required Cuts from “Level Funded” Budget ($338,164) FY07 Presented “Basic Needs” Voted Budget on 12/8/05 $21,340,194 FY07 School Committee 1^st Voted Budget on 4/6/06 $20,524,377 FY07 School Committee 2^nd Voted Reduced Budget on 5/4/06 $20,124,377 FY07 Voted Town Meeting Budget on 6/12/06 $19,982,377 Required Cuts from 1^st Voted Budget ($542,000) Increase from FY05 to FY07 Budget $81,674 Average Two-year Increase ($40,837) 0.2%
4	Where Did That Leave Us? Actual FY06 Staff Reductions 2 elementary health teachers eliminated 1 grade 2 teacher eliminated 1 grade 4 teacher eliminated 3 high school teachers eliminated 8 kindergarten paraprofessionals eliminated 6 elementary paraprofessionals eliminated 2 middle school paraprofessionals eliminated 1 middle school nurse eliminated 2 custodians eliminated 1 maintenance worker eliminated 2 elementary cafeteria aides eliminated 1 middle school monitor eliminated
5	Where Did That Leave Us? Actual FY06 Other Reductions After school band classes at the high school eliminated One bus eliminated Hours of 2 Pre-kindergarten paraprofessionals reduced Teaching assistant principal position at McGovern eliminated Building maintenance account reduced Instructional supply account reduced Utilities account reduced Professional development account reduced User fees for interscholastic athletics doubled
6	Where Did That Leave Us? Actual FY07 Staff Reductions 1 educational technology teacher at middle school eliminated 1 grade 5 teacher at middle school eliminated 1 custodian eliminated 1 kindergarten teacher reduced 1 high school secretary eliminated 1 high school library paraprofessional eliminated 1 high school paraprofessional eliminated 1 middle school strings instructor eliminated 1 middle school music teacher reduced 1 middle school art teacher reduced
7	Where Did That Leave Us? Actual FY07 Other Reductions Textbooks, supplies and materials accounts further reduced Maintenance and custodial accounts further reduced Professional development account further reduced User fees introduced for after school activities at the high school User fees for interscholastic athletics increased User fees introduced for middle school intramurals
8	Funding from Property Taxes Over the Past Three Years
9	DOE’s Definition of Regular Day Per Pupil Expenditure “Day Program per pupil expenditures represent what a school district expends for all locally enrolled students plus any pupils enrolled from other districts through the school choice or other tuition programs. District spending is derived from the school committee budget; municipal indirect educational costs; and school choice income. Districts report pupil membership and expenditures in any of the regular, special, bilingual and occupational programs offered to school districts.” (SOURCE: DOE website 2003)
10	Tri-Valley and Surrounding Town Comparison Per Pupil Expenditure Regular Day (FY05 DOE Data)
11	FY07 District Staffing Summary By FTE
12	FY07 District Staffing By Salary
13	Medway High School Enrollment Trends (FY05-FY09)
14	Budget Priorities for FY08 Restore selected cuts from FY06 & FY07 programs and services Advance the curriculum Upgrade technology Respond to NEASC recommendations Offer reasonable class sizes at all levels Restore after school activities to non-fee status Ensure student safety Attend to capital improvement needs
15	Budget Level Definitions Level Service Budget – A level service budget would provide status quo for staffing (i.e., no change from current staffing) and special education services (i.e., projecting the cost of services next year for currently identified special needs students), and level funding for all other expenses from FY07 to FY08. No restorations or increases to staffing, programs, or services would be added to the current budget that experienced substantial cuts in FY06 and FY07. Tier 1 Budget – A Tier 1 budget would restore some of the staffing positions that were eliminated in the FY06 and FY07 budgets. It would also include new, critical initiatives in the areas of mathematics, reading, special education, and technology. In addition, a Tier 1 budget would provide curricular leadership for the district and eliminate after school activity fees at the high school. It would also restore some funding for professional development. Tier 2 Budget – In addition to the items in Tier 1, a Tier 2 budget would include other essential staffing and support personnel, as well as some programs and services that were either eliminated in the FY06 and FY07 budgets or that are vital in the areas of curriculum, technology, and safety.
16	FY08 Level Service Budget Status Quo Staffing for FY08: FY07 Salaries $15,393,877 FY08 Negotiated Increase (2.25%) $335,733 FY08 Projected Step & Degree Changes $266,115 Other (Net attrition) $4,277 Total FY08 Salaries $16,000,002 Level Service Expenses for FY08: FY07 Expenses $4,588,500 FY08 Projected SPED Increase (contracted services) $155,000 Total FY08 Expenses $4,743,500 Total FY08 Level Service Budget $20,743,502 FY07 Budget Allocation $19,982,377 Required Increase $761,125 Percent of Increase 3.8%
17	Tier 1 Budget Rationale (Items Presented in Priority Order from Most Critical to Least Critical) 0.3 FTE Kindergarten Learning Center Teacher – There is currently one part-time (0.7 FTE) special needs teacher for kindergarten. A full time teacher is needed to adequately service students on IEPs, supervise instructional aides, consult with classroom teachers, conduct evaluations, and write educational plans. 1.0 FTE High School English Teacher 0.6 FTE High School Social Studies Teacher 0.6 FTE High School Science Teacher 0.4 FTE High School Mathematics Teacher 0.4 FTE High School Foreign Language Teacher All of these positions (items 2 through 6) were either eliminated or reduced in the 2005-06 budget. The student high school population has increased by approximately 32 students in 2006-07. These positions are needed to address class size and add elective choices in English, social studies, science, mathematics, and foreign language as identified in the NEASC report.
18	Tier 1 Budget Rationale (continued) (Items Presented in Priority Order from Most Critical to Least Critical) 1.0 FTE Fine Arts Teacher – Additional art and music sections are needed to add elective offerings to strengthen the fine arts program and reduce the number of study halls that students have each day as identified in the NEASC report. 1.0 FTE Middle School Reading Teacher – New NCLB regulations will limit the number of teachers at the middle school who can teach 20% out-of-field. This reading teacher would be available to assume the reading classes currently being taught by the seventh and eighth grade mathematics teachers. By adding a reading teacher, mathematics teachers would be able to provide additional math support to students experiencing difficulty meeting with success. 1.0 FTE Grade 2 Teacher – There are currently ten classes in grade one with 23 students per class. Several students have disabilities severe enough to require one-to-one paraprofessional assistants. A number of other students have special needs that make it difficult for them to achieve and, therefore, need a great deal of individual attention from their teachers. Due to fiscal constraints, a grade 2 teacher was cut from the 2005-06 budget, which left nine classrooms. Consequently, if a grade 2 teacher is not restored, class size would increase to 25 students for this group of children and the learning environment will most likely be adversely affected.
19	Tier 1 Budget Rationale (continued) (Items Presented in Priority Order from Most Critical to Least Critical) 1.0 FTE Grade 4 Teacher – Two years ago a fourth grade teacher was cut from the budget due to fiscal constraints. Projected class size for 2007-08 is 25 students per class in grade four if a teacher is not restored. Without the benefit of another teacher, opportunities for individual attention and differentiated instruction for fourth grade students will be limited. 0.5 FTE Special Education Coordinator – This would increase the level of service at Medway High from half time to full time. It would allow SPED coordinators to be building-based which would provide an increase in support for staff and students. 1.0 FTE Middle School Guidance Counselor – Currently there are 926 students who are serviced by 2.2 FTE counselors. Students in grades 6/7/8, totaling 707, have the services of two full time counselors. This creates a caseload of over 350 students per counselor. The students in grade 5, totaling 219, are serviced by a part-time (0.2 FTE) counselor from McGovern who is only available on Tuesday, which places the burden on the other counselors to assist fifth-graders during the rest of the week. Adding this position to the middle school would allow the counselor being shared with McGovern to remain there for an additional day to service the students in grades one and two.
20	Tier 1 Budget Rationale (continued) (Items Presented in Priority Order from Most Critical to Least Critical) 5.0 FTE Kindergarten Paraprofessionals – Restoring five of the eight positions that were cut would provide instructional support in kindergarten classrooms, which would allow for smaller staff-to-student ratios at times and more opportunities for center-based instruction and enrichment activities. Kindergartners would become independent and feel secure in their environment much earlier in the year and be better prepared to advance academically and socially. 1.5 FTE Mathematics Specialists – Part-time mathematics specialists at the elementary level (0.5 FTE at McGovern & 0.5 FTE at Burke/Memorial) and 0.5 FTE at the middle school would enhance overall numeracy instruction for students. Math specialists would provide direct instruction to struggling learners, additional challenges to advanced learners, consultation to teachers, and professional development to staff in the area of mathematics. 1.0 FTE High School Special Education Paraprofessional – The high school will have special education students in three grades requiring support in general education. The transition teams in general education would benefit from an assistant assigned to them. This position may negate the need for students on the teams to have one-on-one assistants. Workstations in Two Middle School Computer Labs – An immediate plan must be implemented to systematically replace aged equipment in order to provide students with the technology skills needed before leaving the middle school because no technology courses are offered at the high school. Workstations in the computer labs are mostly refurbished computers that are nearly eight years old and obsolete. Massachusetts Department of Education guidelines for 2006 recommend a technology replacement cycle every six years.
21	Tier 1 Budget Rationale (continued) (Items Presented in Priority Order from Most Critical to Least Critical) Eliminate After School Activity Fees at the High School – An after school fee of $75 was implemented for high school students to participate in most after school activities to cover the cost of each advisor’s stipend to supervise the activity. Up until the 2006-2007 school year, these stipends were included in the school department’s operating budget and students were not charged a fee to participate in after school activities. 0.5 FTE Middle School Nurse – For the safety and well-being of the 926 students in the middle school, restoration of the part-time nursing position is needed. A student population of over 900 students presents a number of challenges for the one full time nurse. The number of students who have chronic conditions, such as diabetes, and require daily monitoring has increased. Restore Professional Development – Due to fiscal constraints, this account has been reduced by $30,000 over the past two years. It is imperative that educators have access to an expanding body of knowledge in regard to subject area, teaching strategies, uses of technologies, and other essential elements in teaching to high standards. In addition, new Massachusetts Department of Educations regulations require all new teachers to participate in a yearlong mentor program. Curriculum Software for grades K-8 – Very little software has been purchased over the past five years for these grade levels as a result of tight budgets. Application software must be procured to promote curriculum development that integrates technology into the classroom.
22	Tier 1 Budget Rationale (continued) (Items Presented in Priority Order from Most Critical to Least Critical) Textbooks at Middle School and High School – In a number of courses at the middle school and high school, outdated versions of textbooks are being used. All classes should have the opportunity to use newer text versions which are fully aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and the MCAS Test. Some new textbooks have been purchased over the past two years but insufficient funding has meant that there are not enough texts for every student and, therefore, the books must be shared and cannot be brought home. 1.0 FTE District-wide Director of Curriculum – Accountability at the national and state level requires ongoing curriculum improvement. National and international studies indicate that, after quality teachers in the classroom, the next most important factor in improving student performance is the depth and breadth of the curriculum. The district no longer has part-time curriculum coordinators to provide curricular leadership. The following nearby school districts have already addressed the need for curriculum development and improvement by hiring one or more curriculum administrators: Ashland, Bellingham, Dover, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medfield, Milford, Millis, Norton, and Westwood. In order to implement high-quality professional development, advance the curriculum, and address the demands of MCAS testing and No Child Left Behind, a PreK-12 director of curriculum is needed.
23	Summary of Tier 1 Requests 0.3 FTE Burke Kindergarten Special Education Teacher $15,176 1.0 FTE High School English Teacher $50,585 0.6 FTE High School Social Studies Teacher $30,351 0.6 FTE High School Science Teacher $30,351 0.4 FTE High School Mathematics Teacher $20,234 0.4 FTE High School Foreign Language Teacher $20,234 1.0 FTE High School Fine Arts Teachers (Art & Music) $50,585 1.0 FTE Middle School Reading Teacher $50,585 1.0 FTE McGovern Grade 2 Teacher $50,585 1.0 FTE Memorial Grade 4 Teacher $50,585 0.5 FTE System-wide Special Education Coordinator $25,293 1.0 FTE Middle School Guidance Counselor $50,585 5.0 FTE Burke Kindergarten Paraprofessionals $78,150 1.5 FTE Elementary & Middle School Math Specialists $75,878 1.0 FTE High School Special Education Paraprofessional $15,630
24	Summary of Tier 1 Requests (continued) Upgrade Workstations in 2 Middle School Computer Labs $57,200 Elimination of After School Activity Fees $39,825 0.5 FTE Middle School Nurse $22,555 Restore System-wide Professional Development $20,000 Purchase Grades K-8 Curriculum Software $5,000 Purchase Middle School & High School Textbooks $30,000 1.0 FTE System-wide Director of Curriculum $85,000 Total Requested for Tier 1 $874,386
25	FY08 Budget – Additional Required Funding (Level Service Plus Tier 1 Priorities) Level Service Budget: FY08 Negotiated Increase (2.25%) $335,733 FY08 Step & Degree Changes $266,115 Other (Net attrition) $4,277 FY08 Projected SPED Increase $155,000 Required Level Service Increase $761,125 Percent of Increase 3.8% Increase to Tier 1 Funding: Level Service Budget Increase $761,125 Tier 1 Budget Increase $874,386 Total Level Service & Tier 1 Required Increase $1,635,511 Percent of Increase 8.2%
26	Tier 2 Budget Rationale (Items Presented in Priority Order from Most Critical to Least Critical) 0.2 FTE McGovern Social Worker – This would increase the social worker from 0.8 FTE to 1.0 FTE and provide students in grades 1 and 2 with full time social work services. 1.5 FTE Elementary & Middle School Mathematics Specialists – Part-time mathematics specialists at the elementary level (0.5 FTE at McGovern & 0.5 FTE at Burke/Memorial) and 0.5 FTE at the middle school from Tier 1 would increase to full time to enhance overall numeracy instruction for students. Math specialists would provide direct instruction to struggling learners, additional challenges to advanced learners, consultation to teachers, and professional development to staff in the area of mathematics. 2.5 FTE Burke Kindergarten Paraprofessionals – Restoring 2.5 FTEs to Tier 1 would provide additional instructional support in kindergarten classrooms, which would allow for smaller staff-to-student ratios at times and more opportunities for center-based instruction and enrichment activities. Kindergartners would become independent and feel secure in their environment much earlier in the year and be better prepared to advance academically and socially. 1.0 FTE McGovern Special Education Paraprofessional – A special education para-professional would provide further individualization of instruction for students with disabilities in grades 1 and 2. 0.2 FTE McGovern Technology Teacher – There is currently a 0.8 FTE technology teacher to service 441 students. A full time teacher is needed to adequately service students and support technology integration.
27	Tier 2 Budget Rationale (continued) (Items Presented in Priority Order from Most Critical to Least Critical) 1.0 FTE Burke Pre-school Paraprofessional – This position would help decrease the teacher to student ratios and provide more attention, support and supervision for our pre-school program. 2.0 FTE Middle School Special Education Paraprofessionals – The middle school program will have a number of special education students requiring support in general education. The transition teams in general education would benefit from two assistants assigned to the team. As is the case at the high school, this may negate the need for students on the teams to require one-on-one assistants. 1.0 FTE System-wide Technology Technician – The addition of this position would help maintain and support the technology assets that the district oversees (approximately 1,000 workstations, multiple servers, 4 voicemail systems, e-mail accounts, and 2,900 users). 1.0 FTE Middle School Educational Technology Teacher – This position would restore the Educational Technology program that was eliminated in 2006-07. Technology/Engineering is part of the MCAS Test and elimination of this program has made it difficult to cover all the standards that appear on the test. 0.3 FTE Middle School Music Teacher 0.3 FTE Middle School Art Teacher – The restoration of these part-time positions (items 32 and 33) would make an additional period of art and music per cycle possible and result in a more consistent program for fifth grade students.
28	Tier 2 Budget Rationale (continued) (Items Presented in Priority Order from Most Critical to Least Critical) 2.0 FTE Elementary Health Teachers – The health education program was eliminated two years ago due to budget cuts and has not been restored. Although there are state curriculum frameworks for health education, there are no health teachers to address the standards. Workstations in the McGovern Computer Lab – An immediate plan must be implemented to systematically replace aged equipment in order to provide students with technology skills at the primary level. Workstations in the computer labs are mostly refurbished computers that are more than ten years old and obsolete. Massachusetts Department of Education guidelines for 2006 recommend a technology replacement cycle every six years. 14 High Speed Printers for Elementary & Middle School 4 Color High Speed Printers for Elementary & Middle School Many ink jet printers are broken, out of warranty, and too costly to operate. Establishing high print capabilities at central locations in schools would be more efficient and cost effective. Curriculum Software for grades K-8 – Very little software has been purchased over the past five years for these grade levels as a result of tight budgets. Application software must be procured to promote curriculum development that integrates technology into the classroom. This would complete the Tier 1 request for software.
29	Tier 2 Budget Rationale (continued) (Items Presented in Priority Order from Most Critical to Least Critical) 2.0 FTE System-wide Technology Specialists – These positions would help institute a comprehensive, structured computer education program at all levels and assist the district in meeting the Department of Education’s standards for instructional technology. Replace Middle School Air Handler Unit – The air handler unit on the roof has been in need of repair for two years. As a result, the library has not received heat from the unit for the past two winters. Plastic has been used to cover the windows and several space heaters have been used in an attempt to keep the library at a somewhat reasonable temperature. Restore System-wide Instructional Supplies – The instructional supply account has been reduced by $50,000 over the past two years. Restoring some of the funding is needed to provide our students with essential supplies and materials. Voicemail System for the Middle School Complex Voicemail System for Memorial School The aged systems in these buildings are no longer supported by the manufacturer and need to be upgraded. Upgrade System-wide Technology File Server – The district has outgrown the capacity of the server and needs an upgrade.
30	Tier 2 Budget Rationale (continued) (Items Presented in Priority Order from Most Critical to Least Critical) Upgrade the Middle School Public Address and Fire Alarm Systems – The two buildings comprising the middle school complex are on two separate public address and fire alarm systems. This creates communication problems and concerns in the event of an emergency. Upgrade the McGovern Public Address and Fire Alarm Systems – The fire alarm does not sound in all classrooms and the public address system experiences considerable interference on some days. This creates communication problems and concerns in the event of an emergency.
31	Summary of Tier 2 Requests 0.2 FTE McGovern Social Worker $10,117 1.5 FTE Elementary & Middle School Mathematics Specialists $75,878 2.5 FTE Burke Kindergarten Paraprofessionals $39,075 1.0 FTE McGovern Special Education Paraprofessional $15,630 0.2 FTE McGovern Technology Teacher $10,117 1.0 FTE Burke Pre-school Paraprofessional $15,630 2.0 FTE Middle School Special Education Paraprofessionals $31,260 1.0 FTE System-wide Technology Technician $21,600 1.0 FTE Middle School Educational Technology Teacher $50,585 0.3 FTE Middle School Music Teacher $15,176 0.3 FTE Middle School Art Teacher $15,176 2.0 FTE Elementary Health Education Teachers $101,170 Workstations in Computer Lab at McGovern $28,600
32	Summary of Tier 2 Requests (continued) 14 High Speed Printers (McG/Mem/MS) $14,000 4 Color High Speed Printers (McG/Mem/MS) $3,200 Curriculum Software for Grades K-8 $5,000 2.0 FTE System-wide Technology Integration Specialists $101,170 Replace Middle School Air Handler Unit $48,600 Restore System-wide Instructional Supplies $25,000 Middle School Voicemail System $7,500 Memorial School Voicemail System $7,500 Upgrade System-wide Technology File Server $10,000 Upgrade Middle School Public Address & Fire Alarm Systems $83,000 Upgrade McGovern Public Address & Fire Alarm Systems $59,000 Total Requested for Tier 2 $793,983
33	FY08 Budget – Additional Funding Required (Level Service Plus Tiers 1 and 2 Priorities) Level Service Budget: FY08 Negotiated Increase (2.25%) $335,733 FY08 Step & Degree Changes $266,115 Other (Net attrition) $4,277 FY08 Projected SPED Increase $155,000 Required Level Service Increase $761,125 Percent of Increase 3.8% Increase to Tier 2 Funding: Level Service Budget Increase $761,125 Tier 1 Budget Increase $874,386 Tier 2 Budget Increase $793,983 Total Level Service, Tier 1 & Tier 2 Increase $2,429,494 Percent of Increase 12.1%
34	FY07 School Department Budget Summary Table: Funding From Various Sources Like every other public school department, Medway relies on grant and revolving fund offsets to provide otherwise unaffordable services and help reduce the operating budget requirement. The table below shows the breakdown of funding from the various sources.
35	Budget Concessions Returned $20,000 in FY05 to assist with Town deficit. Absorbed a decrease in the FY06 budget which amounted to more than $1 million below a level service budget and $338,164 below a level funded budget. Received $0 in FY06 from the additional $139,000 in Chapter 70 School Aid funds that were awarded to the Town. Received less than half of the increase in Chapter 70 School Aid awarded to the Town for FY07. Of the $1,081,992 increase in school aid funding, the school department received $419,838 and the Town kept $662,154. As a result of new school department contracts, health insurance savings to the Town will amount to $100,000 or more in FY07 and $145,000 (at FY07 rates) or more in FY08.
36	CONCLUSION It is anticipated that The Town of Medway will continue to experience financial difficulties during the FY08 budget year. Tough decisions will have to be made relative to allocating the limited resources that the town will have available. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s Deputy Commissioner of Local Services recommended securing funding for the core municipal functions like education, public safety, and infrastructure. Elected officials and residents of Medway must consider how to invest town funds wisely. Investing in the future of the town’s children is the wisest investment the community can make. Will the school department ever be able to restore the essential services cut in FY06 and FY07?