Burgess budget to see .8 percent increase

By Matthew Bernat
Turley Publications Staff Writer

STURBRIDGE - During a tough fiscal year the school district’s business manager said the goal was to not add to Burgess Elementary School’s budget, but administrators allowed a small increase to avoid slashing programs or staff positions.
“We wanted to try and be fair to the towns and be as helpful as possible as the economy continues to be a challenge,” said Tantasqua Regional School District Business Manager Deborah Boyd. “We are not quite there tonight.”
She spoke at a public hearing held to assess Burgess Elementary School’s budget for fiscal year 2011. It took place March 4 in the school’s cafeteria. The Sturbridge School Committee, Sturbridge Finance Committee members, local and school officials and residents attended.
The school’s budget was up almost $70,000 from the previous fiscal year, which amounts to a .8 percent increase.
“To get down to zero (percent increase) or below that $70,000 absolutely would involve cutting programs or decreasing services and we did not want to do that,” Boyd said. So far, administrators have contacted all five communities in the Union 61 school district and presented similar budget outlooks to leaders in those towns, she said.
Boyd said she is monitoring the state budget process, saying recommendations by the state House of Representatives will be released soon. Should the financial situation become dire administrators will be able to react.
“We always have the ability to cut back,” she said.
Despite making cuts to facilities management, travel expenses and school supplies accounts some money was needed to account for rising salaries earned through continuing education credits and contractually mandated increases.
Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Smith had questions for school committee members on a number of budget line items, including how they decided on salary increases for central office staff, the guidance counselor, the school nurse and the technology maintenance staff position.
Boyd said central office salary increases were less than agreed upon in contracts. The technology maintenance staff position was funded at $43,000 because the person in that position brought a level of service the school has not seen before.
“You can talk to any of the staff and I think they’re in the best shape ever in terms of technology,” said Superintendent Daniel Durgin.
Administrators attributed salary increases that appeared larger than average for a tough year to staff earning a higher level of education.
Durgin said the school pays staff more depending on how many courses they take and what degree they earn. The increases are incremental as salaries are based on how many college credits are earned. He said those opportunities are pre-approved and there are requirements in place, for example, staff must maintain a B average in their college classes.
“In this profession we want people to continue their education and take courses,” Durgin said.
A total of $8,667,850 was requested for Burgess Elementary School’s 2011 fiscal year budget. Last year the total was $8,597,853.