School Committee Approves Tentative 2013 Budget Proposal

The approved a tentative budget proposal for 2013 6-1 Tuesday night. Robert Leary was the opposing vote.

The proposed budget totals $36.4 million, about a $140,00 increase from 2012.

Superintendent John Ambrogi said he would not be recommending zero funding from the Newport City Council. In the proposal, the School Committee is requesting a 2.48 percent increase, about $640,000, from the council. The increase is less than the 4 percent cap allowed by state law. The increase is due the school district losing about $500,000 in federal aid for Title I, II and IDEA funding, School Committee members said. State revenues for Operations Aid has been recommended to be reduced by $91,000.

“We need to take a look at this once more; this is tentative,” Ambrogi said. “We need to find out what the council has in mind. It is clear we have less federal money.”

The good news, Ambrogi said, is the district will save 2 percent on all Healthmate Coast to Coast insurance policies.

Between local appropriations and the fund balance, about $1.3 million was able to be shifted to support the budget proposal. Ambrogi recommended shifting $325,000 of the $371,491 fund balance to fund the fiscal 2013 budget, leaving a “meager” $46,491 remaining fund balance.

Due to an “aggressive project” regarding enrollment in the NACTC program in the 2011-20012 school year, tuitions brought in $126,000 less than the budgeted revenue. The proposed tuition estimate based on current students has been increased to $757,670.

There is also about half a million dollars for a one-time-only support of teachers’ salaries and benefits from federal funding in the ARRA Education Jobs fund. The funds must be expended by Sept. 30.

“Every year our budget is a moving target,” Ambrogi said.