Budget approval -- report from Astrid Helfant

Astrid Helfant (BoE candidate) with quick report on yesterday's meeting:

Here's a quick summary of tonight's Public Budget Hearing. Ellen [Larson], please read over it and see if some items need editing or if I left out some things that you consider important. ... The end result is that the Board approved the budget this evening.

- The BoE is looking to hire an interim Superintendent starting July 1st. Erin asked the salary for someone with a doctorate which is $135,000 according to Diana. Barbara proposed the possibility of hiring a permanent superintendent in the middle of the school year starting the spring semester. Matt responded that this would be fine in terms of the budget; such a mid-year hire could be accommodated. My question (which I did not ask) is whether the quality of candidates is better during for a normal July 1st starting time compared to a February 1st starting time. 

- The tax levy of 2.21% and the intent not to override the levy was submitted by March 1st. Although this is not binding, it was clear that the Board had no intent of overriding the levy. From my conversation with Terry Monte during the meeting it was clear that the Board may anticipate a worse budget year coming up as Terry gathered from a Superintendent coffee she attended. It would thus make more sense to avoid an override of the tax levy this year, as we may very well need an override next year. Diana did remind us that in a letter she received a year or so ago from David Valesky, Valesky stated that he anticipated a full restoration of the GEA within the next two years. Since this letter was sent a year ago, that may mean that we should have our GEA restored for the 2015-2016 school year. Of course no guarantees here. 

- I mentioned again to Diana, Matt and the Board that Carolyn is very interested in being involved in the foreign exchange initiative. I asked Diana who the Colgate Alumnus is that is part of the Southern-Westchester BOCES. She was very good about sending Debbie Kirley to retrieve his name for me: Jeff Donnelly. Diana and he had email communication. The full intention is that he is considering up to 5 boys most likely from China paying $14,000-$20,000 HCS tuition and who all may be living in a house provided by Colgate supervised by a house parent. This monetary amount of $70,000-$100,000 has not been included in the budget as there are no guarantees here. With the HCS Sevis rating good to go, we are however all set for students from abroad to come. HCS just needs to facilitate their visas.

- I brought to Diana, Matt and the Board's attention Stephanie's question regarding a second full-time art position. I threw in there the option of the 0.5 or 1.0 second library position. Diana first clarified that with Bill Magee's $50,000 Bullet Aid, HCS is able to maintain Jenn Brigg's 0.5 library position. Which means the total librarian staff is 1.5 FTE. The response was that since we cannot count for sure on the foreign exchange funds, we are unable to include such increased staff position(s) in the current budget. Maybe next year?

- Much talk was about the JV, Varsity and Modified Sports. David Ellis had a conversation with Jen and was particularly concerned with how the HCS administration presented their Sports budget to the public. The perception was that JV sports' funding was contingent upon a grant requested from Dick's Sporting Goods. The money received from Dick's would need to be matched by the Sports Boosters. This is however not the case. Based on the enrollment surveys for all sports, only those sports with enough enrollments to create a team are currently budgeted for. Any additional teams to be created based on unanticipated sign-ups will have to come from this grant. Dennis Roy said that no matter what happens with the numbers, money can be shuffled and the teams will play. It's a matter of getting the numbers. Gary Weeks and Morgan among others asked questions in addition to David Hollis about the sports budget.

- The "Enrichment" position is indeed cut. However, this position cut does not mean HCS students will no longer receive enrichment. Also, Johanna B. (Ag teacher) will hopefully continue to offer the Enrichment Bunch Program, though this is contingent upon funding from the Emerald Foundation as well as help from a second teacher.

- None of the other administrators (besides Diana, Matt and Dennis) were there. I was going to ask the attending Principals what their opinion was about a reduced (interim) Superintendent position (0.75 FTE). Do they think this would be feasible? Could they themselves make up for the reduction in administrative staff? Could they take on the extra responsibility? Again, I didn't get to ask this question, but would very much have liked to.

and Ellen Larson doesn't see anything to change in there, so here 'tis.

Update:Radio Free Hamilton has a report at HCS Board Approves Budget With 1.16% Increase

The HCS School Board tonight approved a preliminary 2014-2015 budget of $12,260,960, which is an increase of just 1.16 percent over the current spending plan.

And Dr. Bowers' blog has information on athletics at Will There be Girl's Soccer in the Fall of the 2014--15 School Year? - Dr. Bowers - SuperintendentHamilton CSD