032307 Staff salaries drive 9 percent budget rise
By NEAL RENTZ
While the number of class sections for such core subjects as English, mathematics, and science have remained relatively stable over the past few years, staff salaries are expected to rise by about 9 percent in the Bedford Central School District, the board of education was told during their March 14 meeting.
Board members and administrators were discussing the 5111.4 million 2007-08 budget that has been proposed by schools superintendent Dr. Debra Jackson. If the spending plan is adopted in its original form, property taxes for Bedford residents would rise by 9.98 percent, while taxes in Pound Ridge would drop by .42 percent due to equalization rates.
The board is scheduled to pass its version of next year's budget on March 28 and residents will vote on it on May 15.
During his presentation on staffing, assistant superintendent for human resources Robert Cooper said Dr. Jackson is seeking the hiring of an additional 8.6 full-time regular education teachers next year. The superintendent is also asking for the equivalent of 10.5 full-time staff in CSEA positions, mainly for special education programs.
Mr. Cooper said all but one-half of a full-time CSEA position would he paid by such savings as lower special education tuition because more of Bedford's special education students are being educated in the district instead of going outside of the district next year. The additional CSEA posts would have "minimal impact on the budget," he said.
Mr. Cooper told the board of education that although student enrollment has been going up in recent years, the number of sections for "core subjects all students essentially take" has remained nearly stable districtwide over the past three years.
At the elementary level, there were 2,080 students in 2005-06 and they were enrolled in 109 core subject sections. During the current school year,2,083 elementary students are enrolled in 109 sections. Next year. the district expects an elementary enrollment of 2,140 pupils in I 1 I sections.
At the middle school level, 969 students were enrolled in 49.4 core subject sections last year. This year, 1,003 middle school students are in 49.2 core subject sections and next year the district anticipates 1.001 middle school students are expected to be in 49.2 core subject sections.
On the high school level, 1.256 students were in 74.8 core-subject sections in 2005-06. This year, 1,273 high school students are in 76.2 core subject sections and next year the district is predicting that 1,321 high school stuents will be in 76.2 core subject sections.
"I think we are staying practically flat, at least in our core subject areas," Mr. Cooper said.
Board of education trustee Mark Chernis said Dr. Jackson's budget calls for a roughly 9 percent increase for staff salaries next yearand he wanted to know the reason, since the number of core classes next year is expected to he about the same as the current academic year. Mr. Cooper replied that statistics he provided on the sections were related to "just the core curriculum" and did not include other classes.
Mr. Chernis reiterated
that he still did not understand why staff salaries would go
up significantly next year. "What's
driving the increase?" he asked.
(GREED AND CORRUPTION Marc)
Assistant superintendent for business and administrative services Mark
Betz said the higher teacher salaries
have come about as part of the current
contract, which also includes higher pay for educators with "steps." which are
based on years of service in the district and
education level achieved. Mr. Betz
also said
The board is scheduled to discuss next year's budget during their meetings throughout the month of March and a public hearing on the ledger has been slated for May 2