[Apshpe] PRESS RELEASE: Boards Working Towards Balanced Budget for FY2009

[High Plain Elementary School Mailing List]

Good afternoon,

 

Please read the following Press Release regarding the Budget for FY2009
from the 3 Boards.  Thank you!

 

Alison Phelan

Exec. Asst. to the Superintendent of Schools

Andover Public Schools

978.623.8501 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 18, 2008




Contact:

Joanne F. Marden, Finance Committee

(978) 470-0219

Brian P. Major, Board of Selectmen

(978) 470-3428

Ted E. Teichert, Board of Selectmen

(978) 475-8322

Arthur H. Barber, School Committee

(978) 475-9074

 




BOARDS WORKING TOWARDS BALANCED BUDGET FOR FY2009

ANDOVER - The Chairs of the Andover Board of Selectmen, School Committee
and Finance Committee are pleased to announce that updated financial
information and a commitment to compromise in the best interest of the
community have resulted in a tentative agreement on a balanced FY2009
budget to present to Town Meeting.

 

The proposed Town and School budgets can be funded within Proposition 2
V2 this year. The override article would be withdrawn. The goal is to
provide level services for both Town and Schools. The budgets can be
funded without spending down reserves below the level recommended by the
Town Manager in his original budget. The School Budget funds the high
school athletic and extracurricular programs without any increase in
user fees. There are no reductions in the teaching staff. Budgets have
been scrutinized to insure that each dollar is needed to continue to
deliver this year's level of services. The Capital Projects article
would be level funded at the FY2008 budget amount. Lack of funding built
in for contingencies and counting on savings or increased revenues from
new initiatives means that certain risks are being taken.

 

New information about projected savings for the School Budget due to
additional retirements, official communication of health insurance
renewal rates, and updated solid waste disposal cost estimates made a
significant difference in the amount of money available for Town and
School operations.  This agreement is only possible, however, with
significant compromises by all three boards and Town and School
administrations. The Capital Projects article would be level funded, a
$750,000 reduction from Andover's goal of 2% of budget, resulting in
deferral of important Town and School projects. The School Committee
requested that the Superintendent present them with a level services
budget, a $409,645 reduction from her original needs based budget. The
Board of Selectmen did not recommend funding for any of the new
positions or programs needed by Town departments. The Board of Selectmen
will be challenged to generate $50,000 in additional revenues from
either changing the use of the Old Town Hall or other local fees. This
is over and above the local revenue increases already built into the
budget. The Finance Committee is accepting a level of risk from budgets
that could require significant supplemental appropriations at next
year's Town Meeting.

 

The tentative agreement was presented to the Finance Committee Wednesday
night, and they voted 8-0 to go forward with finalizing the details. A
Tri-Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, at 7 PM, to
discuss the proposal and allow each board to formally vote
recommendations on the budget line items required to implement the plan.

Attachment




FY2009 Balanced Budget Proposal

Reductions to School Budget

Reduction from needs based to level services       $   409,645

New Information about savings from

retirements and extended leaves                  $   451,492

Reduction in funding for SPED out of

district contingencies                                  $    450,897

Total
$1,312,034

Original School Committee Recommendation               $60,745,189

Proposed School Budget Appropriation                        $59,433,155

Difference
$ 1,312,034

Other Budget Changes Required

Solid Waste budget reduction due to reduced tonnage

based on updated information                                  $ 50,000

Increased Town Fee Revenue based on either

changed use of Old Town Hall or other

local receipts
$ 50,000

Health Insurance savings from reduced number

of new positions for Schools                                   $ 85,000

Other Insurance savings
$294,867

Use of recurring amount from Phillips Academy

Gift Fund based on FY2008 actual                          $116,000

Total
$595,867

Original Finance Committee School Budget

Recommendation
$58,837,288

Additional Funds Available
$595,867

Proposed School Budget Appropriation                        $59,433,155

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