School Board backs fractionally lower budget for next year
Declining enrollment and hard times call for recommended action.
By HARRISON HAAS
hhaas@citizen.com
The Citizen Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Gilford School Board is backing a $23.3 million budget for next year, 0.66 percent below the district's current operating budget. Concern from the elementary school staff was directed to the board with the possible elimination of two positions that would decrease the payroll and health care section of the budget.
The bottom line of the budget, which now goes to the Budget Committee for review, is $23,316,817.
"We are aware of the financial status right now," said Carol Young-Podmore, a teacher in the elementary school. "We believe that one more year with an assistant principal would be beneficial."
The Board is seeking to cut out the Assistant Principal position along with a guidance position at the elementary school. Currently the two elementary guidance teachers serve 80 students, which is a 1:5 ratio of students receiving service.
According to statistics, Superintendent Dr. Paul DeMinico claimed that a group of 200 students requires the need of one guidance counselor…..
While the student enrollment has decreased, in a letter to the board, Karen Yborra from the elementary school guidance department stated that behavioral needs of children have increased.
"We do need to prioritize numbers," DeMinico said. "We do need to take our school into consideration outside of statistics."
Members from the elementary school staff submitted a letter asking for the board to reconsider the elimination of the positions, with a page and a half-long list of signatures from the staff.
The board agreed on the budget proposal with the exclusion of the two positions. The budget committee will hear the School Board give its budget presentation Thursday evening.
In other business, the board approved the proposed building of a new concession stand at the football field. It will need approval by the planning board before any construction is started and the current trailer will have to be removed. The new stand will be a gift from the Friends of Gilford Eagles Football and should be ready by next season.
The next Gilford School Board Meeting will be Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. at the
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