Funds for "Extended Learning Opportunities" Included in 2013-14 Education Budget Proposal

A total of $125,000 has been included in the proposed school system budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year to extend school days for learning opportunities.

Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway on Wednesday night presented a $51.88 million 2013-14 budget proposal to the Board of Education.

The bottom line of $51,885,043 represents an increase of $3,704,046 - or 7.69 percent - over this year's budget of $48,180,997.

The School board is scheduled to begin deliberating over the numbers on Jan. 16.

The first phase is an extended day program for students both before and after the regular school hours. Current reading and special education staff members would work flex hours at all schools on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays so no additional funds would be spent on teachers, Conway said.

Classtime gaps left by the flex hours would be filled by other teachers, Conway said.

A total of $25,000 has been proposed for transportation related to an extended day.

Another $100,000 has been designated for an extended year program that would take place in all schools four days per week for four weeks. Staffing and supplied would use $78,000 and transportation would cost $22,000, according to the budget plan.

Extending learning opportunities was one of the budgetary goals the Board of Education established in November.