MEET THE BAUMANN SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS
SCHOOLS
Budget Highlights for 2001-2002
Elementary Schools
- 5 new elementary class sections to meet K-5 enrollment growth exceeding Board class size policy limits
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0.2 increase in N1KES music to accommodate two additional class sections- 0.2 assignment of elementary math coordinator to focus on math needs across grade levels
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0.33 health teacher to initiate elementary health curriculum and integrate a K-5 conflict resolution program- 0.5 teacher of the gifted and talented to improve and expand service to elementary gifted students
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Reorganization of existing English as a Second Language (ESL) services to instruct a growing student population; 0.5 teaching increase, 1.0 instructional assistant decrease-
Addition of a full-time bilingual community outreach worker coupled with a reduction of 0.2 social worker to reorganize the district's efforts to provide sustained and cohesive services to our Hispanic population and their school-age childrenc-
1.0 addition of a pre-school aide formerly funded by a grant- 0.2 addition of psychologist services at Bedford Hills Elementary School, bringing to full-time status the only school currently with a part-time psychologist
- Reduction of three one-to-one aide positions achieved by reorganizing services in a special education class
Middle School
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5.0 teaching positions for addition of 9th team to complete reorganization of the middle school into a graded structure:includes increase of full-time teaching positions in English, math, science and
social studies, as well as a learning specialist dedicated to the new team
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1.27 additional teaching positions for overall 6.5% middle school enrollment growth:0.34 health
0.2 unified arts
0.4 foreign language
0.33 physical education
Budget Highlights for 2001-2002
Middle School continued
....o 0.5 reduction of teacher of the visually impaired for students moving to the high school next year
High School
o Net increase of 1.2 teaching positions to accommodate the 6.17% anticipated enrollment increase at the high school, and respond to student course scheduling requests:
Increases include:
0.6 English
0.4 math
0.8 science
0.6 social studies
0.2 business ed.
Reductions include:
0.2 foreign language
0.6 art
0.2 industrial technology
0.4 computer
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0.6 speech teacher to address needs of classified students and conform to their IEPs* 0. 1 increase in guidance services to accommodate increased student load
* 0.4 math/science addition to Aces & Fhllside high school alternative programs
* 2.0 teachers, 0.4 psychologist, and 1.0 instructional assistant for expansion of the Mllside alternative program to accommodate students from all grades, 9-12, and reduce costly out-of-distnict tuition placements
* 0.5 addition of teacher of the visually impaired for students moving from the middle school
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Reduce 2.0 instructional assistants as part of reorganization of special education servicesBudget Highlights for 2001-2002
Technology
For the past two years the district has planned for the acquisition of instructional computer technology through the use of installment purchase contracts. The voters have authorized two of these types of agreements. The original plan included eventually having three concurrent lease purchase agreements that could be renewed, with voter approval, on different annual anniversary dates.
In this proposed budget, the Board of Education is seeking voter approval to enter into the third installment purchase agreement (IPA) for the acquisition of instructional computer technology. If the budget is approved, the voters will be authorizing this third agreement for no more than $175, 000 per yearfor a three-year period.
Finalizes the district's efforts to establish a three-year replacement cycle for instructional technology equipment
Allows the acquisition of almost 330 computers and some servers to address technology needs in the elementary libraries and lower grade levels, middle school unified arts, music and the sciences, and high school business education applications, electronic music and the establishment of an electronic math classroom
Other Technology Initiatives:
The district's proposed technology equipment budget, maintained at the current year's level, will continue to enrich the technology environment with the addition of peripherals such as printers, digital projectors, digital cameras and network infrastructure. By September 2002, the district will have extended its technology network infrastructure into nearly every teaching space in the district.
To spear head initiatives in database integration, coordination and district-wide data analysis, a database manager position has been included in this budget. This person will work to initiate a comprehensive district-wide plan to integrate a K-12 data management system, address the individual educational needs of children through data management, and help us make more informed instructional decisions. Additionally, efficient communication of data for the Board, administration and the community will be a key goal.
The district will be upgrading its student census and attendance hardware/software along with its payroll, personnel and business applications hardware/software. The Regional Information Center at BOCES will be assisting the district with the upgrade and the associated training. These improvements will allow the accurate management of the district's important day-to-day operation, data collection, and processing of student and personnel information.
Second Proposition - to Reallocate Capital Funds
No Additional Tax RequiredProposition #2 on the budget seeks voter permission to reallocate $427,148 in unused capital fund project money to correct issues identified in our recent building surveys. This money exists because previously completed projects, such as the, high school roof, district oil tank replacements, and middle school gym renovations following a recent fire, were completed under budget. Additional funds are available because certain non-bond projects were partially undertaken but could not be fully completed-such as the front entrance renovation at Bedford Hills Elementary School, and high school door replacements and wing renovations. The Board would like the district to use these accrued funds to address some of the most significant health and safety issues identified in the building condition surveys, thus eliminating their need to be part of a bond.
Some of these projects may include, but will not be limited to:
o Fox Lane Middle School
o Generator repair
o Water pump replacements
o Fin tube heating replacement
o Replace gym electric feed
o Bedford Village Elementary School
o Fire alarm modifications
o Boiler room wall repairs
o West Patent Elementary School
o Ventilation duct cleaning
o HVAC control work
o Exterior masonry column probing work
o Repave parking lot/sidewalk
o Administration Building
o Boiler chimney pointing
o Replace HVAC and controls
As required by law, voters are being asked to approve the use of these funds for another purpose than originally approved. Because these funds are already in the possession of the district, no additional tax needs to be raised to finance this work.
Budget Highlights for 2001-2002
Other Program & Budget Changes
• Expansion of summer academy to provide remediation and academic intervention services (AIS) to those who require this support
• Provision of additional funds to implement the gifted and talented proposal approved by the Board this past winter
• Two full-time certified occupational therapist assistants (COTAs) to comply with the IEPs of designated special education students
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Maintain commitment to bus fleet replacement program with the purchase of 4 new vehicles next year*
Increased provision for heating and vehicle fuel costs, along with a commitment to seek additional fuel cost-saving measures
Capital Projects-Major Maintenance Remains a Priority
The Board continues to maintain its commitment to a long-range capital improvement plan. This year, in response to a State mandate, the Board commissioned a survey of all its buildings and received reports on the condition of each school. A total of $36 million in recommended capital improvements was identified, comprising a significant portion of the Board-appointed Citizens' Facilities Advisory Committee report presented this past February.
While the Board realizes that many of these improvements will have to be incorporated in a bond proposition next fall, it remains committed to making annual improvements in the schools through the budget process. With this in mind, the Board is recommending that $750,000 be included in the 2001-2002 budget for capital improvements over the next year, comprised of:
- $115,000 in the operations and maintenance budget to deal with maintenance and repair items associated with enrollment growth and emergencies
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$207,852 transferred from the general fund to the capital fund, and$417,148 included in a second proposition, to address heating, ventilation,
and air-conditioning renovations; interior/exterior masonry repairs; roof
replacements; site work improvements; electrical and plumbing upgrades;
asbestos abatement; and flooring reconstruction and replacement
throughout the district