School Budget Picture Brightens

Malden’s schools may break even after the latest round of budgeting for fiscal 2012. That’s a far cry from initial fears that the schools could face an $8 million gap, which would have forced draconian cuts to the system.

Current estimates from the state and level funding from the city would allow Malden to offer effectively the same school services next year without a major budget deficit.

Initial concerns were eased in January, when Governor Deval Patrick’s budget proposal level-funded Chapter 70 education funding. Instead of absorbing an estimated $2 million cut in state aid, Malden instead received a modest increase under Patrick’s proposal.

The department got more good news when it was told some federal money could be carried over to the coming fiscal year, closing a gap created by trying to fund positions previously covered by federal Jobs Bill money. Added to the Chapter 70 funding, that effectively closed the department’s projected deficit.

House Budget Keeps Governor’s Education Funding Level

The state legislature Thursday released its own budget proposal, confirming the good news for Malden: The lower chamber decided to use Patrick’s Chapter 70 numbers, lending more confidence that the state would indeed spare education funding for fiscal 2012.

The state senate must now propose its own budget. The process then goes to conference to draft a compromise bill, which both chambers must pass and Patrick must sign.

State Numbers Mean Malden Schools May Avoid Big Cuts

At a School Budget Committee meeting Tuesday, School Superintendent Sidney Smith expressed confidence that Malden’s school budget gap could be closed by small changes in a level-service budget. In fact, the budget would actually show a $221,481 surplus.

“That does not include any raises that could be included,” said Smith.

Once mid-year raises are included, the department has a $193,345 shortfall, which Smith said could be covered by minor changes to the budget.

“The goal, at the end of the day, remains to have no layoffs,” he said.

The last hurdle for the school budget comes from the Mayor’s city budget proposal. Malden currently funds the schools above the state’s minimum requirements, called foundation funding. Any reduction in school funding from the city could result in the department reviewing its own budget again.

Proposals for School Closures, Kindergarten Fees Off Table

Back in January, when officials expected steep education funding cuts from the state, Smith said big-ticket items like closing the Forestdale School and instituting a citywide kindergarten fee could be on the table to close the gap. Those draconian measures disappeared after the governor’s proposal, said Smith.

School Budget by the Numbers