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 Local news and information from Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Sedgwick, and Surry, Maine. |
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News Feature
by Jessica Brophy The Brooklin school board took a first look at the 2012-13 draft budget at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 10. The draft budget is down about $53,000 from the 2011-2012 budget, to $1,651,107. The budget represents a 3 percent decrease from last year, primarily due to a $40,000 reduction in special education costs and a $22,000 reduction in high school student tuition fees due to fewer high school students next year. The largest increase in the budget comes in operations and maintenance, including $25,000 budgeted for an energy-efficiency audit with specific recommendations for improving the school. The draft budget includes no new positions, and Superintendent Robert Webster called the budget a “stand pat kind of budget.” Noted in the budget is a nearly $300,000 carry-over, or unspent balance, from the past two budget cycles, the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school budgets. The carry-over is listed on the budget but not yet committed to be spent in the draft budget. Webster explained in a follow-up phone conversation that carry-over occurs due to the budgeting process. The budget is created for the full amount needed for each line, based on projections made for the current year—which take place before the end of the fiscal year. If not all of the money budgeted for that year is used, it is carried over. Brooklin selectman Deborah Brewster asked about the balance carrying forward. “The carry-over is primarily due to conservative estimates,” said Webster. Webster did recommend that the board “spend down” some of the carry-over, meaning that the amount to be raised anew from taxes to cover the school budget could be less. “I think we should look to see what we might not be funding,” said school board chairman Mary Cummins. “We’re not adding staffing, but we can look to see if there’s anything more we can do to enhance student life such as more theater, field trips or other opportunities.” Board member Mike Sealander suggested there may be some technology-related improvements that could help individualize education. Another concern raised by Sealander and board member Frank John is the efficiency and age of the boiler. Cummins asked if it is the right time to start a reserve account for a boiler replacement; John said he thought it could wait another year. School boards often keep money in reserve accounts to save for big projects over multiple years, or for other ongoing costs. To spend money in these reserve accounts, the school board must have the approval of town voters at a special town meeting. At the end of this budget cycle in June and not counting interest, the reserve account for high school tuition will have $60,872; technology will have $14,370; the maintenance account will have $71,122 and the sabbatical leave reserve account will have $14,896. Cummins asked whether money should be set aside for work on the school’s exterior, including scraping and painting, as well as replacing bits of rotten wood. “I’m not trying to be the big spender on these things, just trying to make sure we do what’s best,” said Cummins. Budget discussions will continue. The school board’s next meeting is Tuesday, February 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the school. |
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