by Deb Alter
The second draft of the 2016-2017 Hoosick Falls Central School District Budget was presented and discussed at the March 17 Board meeting. There were presentations about BOCES services, athletics, technology, buildings and grounds, transportation and debt service. [private]Pam Hatfield, District Business Administrator, said that the budget is still “fluid” as the District still does not have all the information it needs from the State for finalization. The big budget changes from this year to next include abolishing one counseling position, and eliminating the position of Dean of Discipline and School Attendance and adding an assistant principal position in the Junior/Senior High School. There will also be a new environmental studies class.
The entire budget can be found on the District’s website at hoosickfallscsd.org. Here are some of the salient points:
• The overall cost of teaching staff will go up just 0.1% (+$6,579) increase. Contractual salary increases are offset by the elimination of the Student Attendance Teacher and replacement of two retiring teachers with new staff at a lower salary.
• Staff and Support Services will be increased 3.4% (+$111,777). One additional teacher aide and one communications officer will be added, as well as increased summer school programs. These additional costs are offset by four staff retirements who will be replaced with new staff at a lower salary, and the elimination of one counselor position (through retirement).
• The Administrators shows a 14.8% increase (+$108,767) increase over the current year, reflecting the addition of an Assistant Principal.
• The District’s cost for health insurance premiums for all employees is up 8.4% (+$385,300) in the new budget. This is close to half of the total budget increase for the year.
• The cost of teacher supplies and student services will go up 15.2% (+$195,650). This includes equipment for a distance learning lab.
• Retirement is one of the few areas that will see a decrease in expenditures (-8.9%). The District’s contribution to the NYS Teachers and Employees Retirement Systems have been reduced from last year’s rates, saving $156,484.
• BOCES Educational Services will increase 37.9% (+$175,266). This includes testing services and additional students receiving Special Education services. BOCES communications services, on the other hand, will decrease by 18.5% (-$39,976), because the District has its own communications officer now.
Bus Purchase
There will be a Bus Purchase Proposition on the ballot on Tuesday, May 17, along with the 2016-2017 Budget. The school bus purchase proposition is to purchase three buses for a total cost of $242,200. Busses 28 and 23 will be retired. This school bus purchase will be made through a 5-year borrowing plan. The District will receive an estimated 82% in State Aid for this purchase over a 5-year term. Capital Reserve will be used to offset the cost, less the State Aid with no impact to the taxpayer.
The Board plans to adopt a proposed budget at the April 12 Board meeting.
There will be a Public Hearing on the 2016-2017 School Budget on Tuesday, May 10 at 6 pm in the High School Library.
There are three seats on the School Board up this year, also to be voted on on May 17. Trustees Rachel Boisvert and Andrew Beaty will run for reelection; Trustee Rick Ferrannini will not be running this time around. Petitions will be available at the District Office from Pam Cottrell, Secretary to the Superintendent, starting Friday, April 1 and are due back to her by Monday, April 18 at 5 pm. Candidates must have at least 25 valid signatures on their petitions to get on the ballot. “The only reason to run for, and be on, the School Board is to support the education of the children of our community,” Board President Greg Laurin stated emphatically.
Other Business
Superintendent Ken Facin announced again that the school will be closing for two days (unused snow days) so that the carbon filters can be installed. The system costs $160,000, which the state will pay for. The state has promised to pay the $70,000/year maintenance costs, and, he said, “I will hold the state to its word.” He recently met with David Lucas of MRB Engineering, the firm that is working with the Village on the water situation. The school is in the early stages of discussion with the Hoosick Falls Mayor’s office to possibly get the campus onto the municipal water system. He also said that he participated in Lobbying Day in Albany with administrators from other districts to encourage the state to give more money to public schools. “We are fighting like heck as superintendents in order to receive more state aid,” he said.
A PFOA lesson plan is being developed that will be presented by science teachers in grades seven through 12, and by Patrick Dailey, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, and Brian VanArsdale in the elementary classes. There will also be a PFOA course offered in the fall.
There were four scholar-athlete teams in each season this year. 80% of HFCSD athletes are scholar -athletes. The Tom Brennan Award was given to Boys Basketball coach Mike Lilac, which the Athletic Director said, “is a reflection on the sportsmanship of the players and the coach.”
“Athletics is a huge program in Hoosick Falls, so it is a big part of the budget. It’s a big part of who we are,” said Facin.
The Board lauded Paul Baker and his Buildings and Grounds team for all the hard work they do to keep the building clean and inviting, even going so far as to keep track of when more than usual students are absent so that they can super-clean door knobs, floors and other places where germs can hide.
The NYS Department of Education inspected the cafeteria and it passed with flying colors. The Board congratulated the cafeteria staff on a job well done.
Patrick Dailey, Kristin Philpott, Director of Special Education, and Principals Amy Netti and Stacy Vadney have completed the necessary training for certification as Lead Teacher Evaluators.
The next HFCSD Board meeting has been changed to Tuesday, April 12 at 7 pm in the High School Library. (It was originally scheduled for Thursday, April 14.)[/private]