Balancing Act: QV Leaders Look Closely at Budget

Superintendent Joseph Clapper said district officials now are trying to work magic, looking for creative ways to balance the 2011-12 budget.

But if state budget cuts to education are any indication, district leaders have a rough road ahead.

“I’ve never seen a budget like this, and I’m frankly probably going to see another one like it next year,” Clapper said Tuesday night.

Gov. Tom Corbett unveiled a proposed budget earlier this month for Pennsylvania that called for drastic cuts in many areas, including public education. Corbett has also called for school districts "to hold the line" even if it means a pay freeze for school employees.

Clapper said the proposed cuts amount to $550,000 in lost revenue, not to mention another $300,000 in federal stimulus funding that won’t be coming next year. The school board already has agreed not to raise taxes above the index, or .29 mills, next year.

Clapper characterized the ongoing budget process as starting “significantly” in the hole.

“Education took a big hit,” Clapper said.

Clapper said earlier this month that district staffing positions would be affected across the board, from teachers to administrative staff and support staff. The end result could mean a combination of furloughs, attrition – the district expects six to eight retirements this year -- or workday reductions by cutting full-time positions to part time.

The board on Tuesday approved implementing a "curtailment" the superintendent proposed in a Dec. 13 memorandum. The curtailment allows the district to make changes or curtail programs.  The board also announced on Tuesday that appropriate notice of any furloughs would be given to the Quaker Valley Education Association under the terms of the teachers contract.

School leaders also announced Tuesday that the proposed budget would be presented May 17, with a final budget to be ready for adoption June 21. Administrators were expecting to approve a proposal in April and pass the final budget in late May.

“In the end, on June 21, we will adopt a final budget. It probably won’t be a pleasant budget, but we’ll have a balanced budget,” Clapper said.

In other business, the board:

• Increased student lunch prices beginning in the 2011-12 school year from $2.40 to $2.50. Breakfast increased from $1.35 to $1.50.

• Approved the following retirements: Susan Herchenroether,  Elementary teacher, and Sharon Beddard-Hess, Elementary teacher, both effective June 6.

• Appointed Robert Wright  the school’s police officer for the next two school years, effective July 1.

• Authorized an agreement with the , pending legal review, to use the center’s field for the middle school football program from Aug. 20 to Nov. 1 at $7,000, plus $150 per Dumpster removal; $360 for a 10-week storage unit fee; and electricity costs. The cost will be paid from the capital projects fund.

• Authorized a lease agreement with Steel City Landscaping to prepare a staff parking area at  Elementary in Ambridge for next school year at an upfront fee of $5,000 and $200 a month during the school year.

• Approved a change to the end of the school year a day early. May 26 will be the last day of school for students and May 27 will serve as an Act 80 day. Clapper said the calendar adjustment is to accommodate the construction timeline for the middle school renovations. In addition, there may be limited
  access to the middle school gymnasium, auditorium and former district office space during the last three weeks of the school year.
  Teachers in the elementary school and high school will be provided additional time to engage in curriculum-related work on May 27.