Education Budget On Track For 2011

With just seven weeks left in the fiscal year, the Woonsocket Education Department has spent less than 75% of their allotted 2011 budget.

This positive news, delivered by WED's Business Manager Stacey Busby, produced resounding applause at Wednesday night's School Committee meeting. The report comes in contrast to by the city's Finance Director Thomas Bruce after an update by auditors from the Braver Group.  

"The numbers weren't finalized," said Busby of the communication. Busby met with Robert Civetti, Principal for Braver on Monday and gave him a complete report on the department's current spending. Civetti is now predicting a small surplus in the education budget.

"I am saying we're going to break even," Busby said. "I'm being conservative."

Chunks of additional funding remain in categories including salaries, health premiums, certified pension and purchase of services. The department has spent less than 3% of its total allotment for capital improvements. Small deficits in categories such as unemployment compensation and web-based instructional programs are more than covered by the remaining balance in other categories. 

Busby must still sign off on the official report provided by Braver regarding the department's standing for the fiscal year before it is made available to the public. 

Bruce and Mayor Leo Fontaine received a preliminary update from Civetti yesterday morning.  "This is very positive news from the School Committee," he said. "I was very happy when I heard that. It's fantastic progress."

The department is owed additional funding by the state and Committeewoman Linda Majewski pointed out that it is still too soon to consider the city in the clear for FY 2011.

"Last year when we had a deficit problem, we did not receive our last payment," Majewski said. The department is expected to receive payments of $4,007,000 at the end of May and June. Last year the final payment from the state for the fiscal year was cut in half, creating a $2.3 million deficit.

"I guess my point is that right now we are projected to be in line with our budget, with all of our projections, if the state reimburses us according to schedule and plan, as they have said that they would," Majewski said.

Busby reminded the committee that notice of the shortage from the state was given to the district in advance last year, and a similar move is not expected for 2011.

Committee members thanked Busby for a job well done. "It was a very rough year," said Chairman Marc Dubois.

Superintendent Robert Gerardi lauded Busby's work as well. "We have spent the money we said we were going to spend and stayed within our budget."