Budget Update from Barnstable Schools Superintendent

On April 10, 2012 the Barnstable School Committee will vote on the proposed FY13 School Budget.  The following is the budget timeline, which took place beginning last November 2011.

Budget procedures were distributed to all principals and site visits of our school buildings were conducted by the Director of Facilities, Principals, Deputy Director of Finance, Procurement Officer and Superintendent of Schools. 

December 2011—Superintendent and Acting Town Manager met to discuss revenue sharing agreement and principals sought input from staff and school councils relative to their needs.

January 2012—The Director of Finance provided a preliminary financial forecast at a joint meeting between the Town Council and the School Committee and school site budgets were submitted to the Superintendent of Schools.

February 2012—School site budgets were presented to the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Deputy Director of Finance and two presentations of the FY13 School Budget were conducted with the School Committee.

March 2012—A public hearing was conducted on the FY13 School Budget in which the public had an opportunity to share their comments on the proposed budget.

April 2012—The School Committee will vote on the FY13 School Budget.  Upon approval, the FY13 School Budget will be submitted to the Acting Town Manager per Part VI, Section 6-2 of the Town Charter. The FY13 Budget is a level service budget with targeted program enhancements.  

This proposed budget will: 

• Maintain current class size and programs. 
• Retain positions needed to support the core mission of the district. 
• Maintain the current level of student services. 
• Support additional Advanced Placement Course Offerings at BHS and offer PreAdvanced Placement Course Offerings to students at Barnstable Intermediate School. 
• Supports our students with disabilities within the least restrictive environment. 
• Provides K-3 Math Coaches. 
• Employs a Tier III Behavior Intervention Specialist at BIS. 
• Provides PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) for all 10th grade students at no cost to students. 
• Introduction of High School Mandarin Chinese Program. 
• Continuation of In-District Autism program in collaboration with NECC (New England Center for Children) with autism. 

This overall budget is an increase of 1.58%, which also includes fixed costs for negotiated salary increases, transportation, out-of-district tuition, and utilities.  

I would like to thank the teachers, support staff, administration, school councils, school committee, and the Deputy Director of Finance for their insight, feedback and support of this proposed FY13 Budget.

Contributed by Superintendent Mary Czajkowski