Norwalk Superintendant Susan Marks has created a prioritized list of 30 spending cuts that she would put back into next year's school budget if the Board of Education finds more money. The list of cuts total $4.27 million. See below for the entire list.
"We are hoping for help from the unions," says Marks who confirmed that the school board is currently talking to "major unions". Marks, however, would not specify which ones. Marks says that in addition to the hoped-for union concessions, the finance department continues to look for savings related to efficiencies and renegotiated vendor contracts. In early May, the Board of Estimation & Taxation set the 2011-12 operating budget at $154.8 million.
A revised list of Marks' proposed cuts was presented at the May 5 Board of Education finance committee meeting. It includes a total of 44 positions, including two elementary assistant principals positions, 15 teaching positions, reduction of elementary librarians to 19 hours a week, elementary interventions aides, two central office administrators, the third-grade strings program and Roton Planetarium position.
Elementary schools have taken the biggest hit with $1.8 million of the $4.2 million in cuts. Central office follows with $1.3 million. The middle schools and high schools have a half-million in cuts. "There are more elementary schools, so there's more to work with there in terms of finding cuts," Marks says of the district's 12 elementary schools.
However, elementary schools are also on the top of the list as far as possibly reinstating positions. The top four "put backs" are two elementary assistants, five of the 15 teaching positions, elementary librarian hours and 12 intervention aides. "Elementary is critical," said Marks. "That's why those items will be put back first."
At the district's central office, Marks is cutting two senior administrators positions: grants specialist Italia Negroni, who was hired last year, and a social studies specialist position held by Joan Glass. Currently, Glass is also in charge of the Academically Talented Program.
Marks says that she doesn't yet know which of the 15 teacher positions might be cut. When the school board reconciles the budget, Marks says she'll evaluate factors such as class sizes and teacher retirements.
Steve Colarossi, Board of Education Finance Committee chairman, says he is "frustrated" because he hasn't seen an impact statement from Marks on the cuts. "I have yet to see a comprehensive plan about how the duties of an intervention aide, for example, will be shifted," he says. "I don't the how, why and wherefore of the cuts with clarity."
Marks said her office will provide Colarossi with impact statements. "Basically, other people are going to have to pick up the load," says Marks.
The proposed budget will be discussed at Tuesday's Board of Education meeting. The reconciliation process will go through June, when the school board must adopt its final spending plan for next year.
Superintendent's position priorities to be put back in when money becomes available:
(according to document distributed at May 5 BOE Finance Committee Meeting)
1. Two elementary vice principal positions--$265,720 (includes salary and benefits)
2. Five of 15 teaching positions that were eliminated--$343,420
3. Six elementary librarian positions that were eliminated--$178,200
4. 12 intervention aides--$306,864
5. Two high school secretary positions--$105,798
6. Strings teacher--$86,060
7. Four first grade aides--$114,436
8. Columbus aides' hours--$142,932
9. Two Central Office instructional specialists--$320,024
10. Staff developer--$133,209
11. Five of 15 teaching positions that were eliminated--$343,420
12. Librarian at Brien McMahon High School--$110,344
13. Guitar teacher--$86,060
14. Security positions at Norwalk High School--$65,380
15. Numeracy coaches--$172,120
16. Literacy coaches--$91,950
17. Five of 15 teaching positions that were eliminated--$343,420
18. Middle school guidance counselor--$86,060
19. Finance/HR Department position--$49,760
20. C/I secretary position--$85,795
21. Food service worker--$35,427
22. Custodial vacancy position--$68,760
23. Planetarium position--$95,160
24. Reserve nurse position--$47,380
25. Head of security--$87,900
26. 0.5 technician positions--$29,207
27. Four reserve teachers--$344,240
28. Reserve aide positions--$53,080
29. Police security funds at high school--$52,000
30. Instructional materials--$25,414
What do you think the spending priorities should be for the Norwalk schools?
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