Vernon Education Budget Proposed at $51.88 Million for 2013-14

An increase of 7.69 percent has been proposed for the 2013-14 school system budget - and that could go higher if Board of Education members like a revision requested of Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway.

Conway on Wednesday night presented a $51.88 million 2013-14 budget proposal to the school board. 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.

Here is an overview of the budget plan:

Salaries and Wages

• 2012-13 approved - $31,046,746.
• 2013-14 proposed - $32,201,594.
• Increase - $1,154,848.
• Percent change - 3.7 percent.

Employee Benefits

• 2012-13 approved - $7,034,216.
• 2013-14 proposed - $7,657,647.
• Increase - $623,431.
• Percent change - 8.9 percent.

The teachers are in the final year of a three-year deal which gives them a 2.9 percent wage increase - with no step increases - next year. In all, contractual obligations for salaries, wages, benefits, insurance and pensions are increasing to the tune of $1,180,835 in the 2013-14 fiscal year.

Professional and Technical Service

• 2012-13 approved - $1,164,190.
• 2013-14 proposed - $1,482,399.
• Increase - $318,209.
• Percent change - 27.3 percent.

Other Purchased Services

• 2012-13 approved - $5,380,931.
• 2013-14 proposed - $6,632,048.
• Increase - $1,251,117.
• Percent change - 23.3 percent.

Purchased services include transportation costs (up $185,340) and out-placements. Magnet school tuitions alone are requested at $650,000 and $200,000 more has been proposed based on current and projected costs.

Property Services

• 2012-13 approved - $1,257,957.
• 2013-14 proposed - $1,255,313.
• Decrease - $2,644.
• Percent change - minus-0.2 percent.

Supplies and Materials

• 2012-13 approved - $1,907,070.
• 2013-14 proposed - $2,105,275.
• Increase - $198,205.
• Percent change - 10.4 percent.

Capital Outlay

• 2012-13 approved - $369,212.
• 2013-14 proposed - $445,767.
• Increase - $76,555.
• Percent change - 20.7percent.

Other Sundry

• 2012-13 approved - $20,675.
• 2013-14 proposed - $105,000.
• Increase - $84,325.
• Percent change - 407.9 percent.

The account represents a $105,000 contingency.

By the time the Feb. 8 deadline rolls around for the budget proposal to be sent to Mayor George Apel, the bottom line could be higher. Conway set aside $161,000 ($131,000 for the equivalent of 2.5 additional staff positions and $30,000 for furniture and supplies) to implement full-day kindergarten at Maple Street and Northeast schools.

Conway said the plan is to then set up full-day programs at Center Road School in the 2014-15 budget and at both Lake Street and Skinner Road schools the following year.

Several school board members asked her to put together a revised cost estimate for full-day kindergarten at all five elementary schools next year.

The full budget calendar is attached.