Schools

Amity BOE Hosts District Meeting May 3

Budget Referendum Set for May 4

The Amity Board of Education will hold a District Meeting on its proposed 2011-2012 budget in the Amity High School Cafeteria, Tuesday, May 3, at 6 p.m. 

The agenda consists of the Board presentation explaining the increases and decreases to the budget.  No vote will be taken at this meeting.  A budget referendum will be held on Wednesday, May 4 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and tri-town voters are encouraged to participate.

The budget development process began in August.  Superintendent John Brady worked with his staff over a five-month period.  The Amity Finance Committee and Board of Education then worked on the budget during the months of January, February and March.

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The total budget request of $43,408,621 is an increase of $651,224, or 1.52% above the current $42,757,397 budget. 

The increase in the budget is due primarily to an increase of $379,679 in salaries, $380,018 in benefits, and $178,968 in special education tuition. 

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All other accounts are decreased by a total of $287,441. 

The Board of Education has developed its budget with consideration of both current economic conditions and the District’s “Missions-Goals-Objectives.”

Salaries are based on 315.2 full-time equivalent positions (FTE).  The budget includes a new 1.0 FTE biology teacher, which will provide a biology lab experience for the first time in the new 8 period schedule.  A 1.0 FTE building maintainer position is added in mid-year to take care of our sophisticated mechanical and electronic devices installed during the recent construction project and now off warranty.  Most of the salary increase is due to contracted salaries for unionized labor groups. 

Medical insurance premiums are higher compared to this year’s budget.  The District’s insurance coverage was competitively bid.  Pension plan costs were higher budget-to-budget due to less than expected returns on investments and new entrants.

Tuition costs are higher.  These costs are for mandated programs which Amity must provide.  The increase is due to a number of students with severe disabilities whose educational needs cannot be met within the Amity district.

Debt service is principal and interest payments on the approved construction projects at the high school and middle schools.  Based on the financial health of Bethany, Orange and Woodbridge, and the financial management in Amity, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. kept the District’s bond rating at Aa2.  This had a favorable impact on the District’s last bond issues in April 2009, March 2010, and November 2010.  The savings on the interest costs are reflected in the budget. 

The District will save electricity costs by replacing all of the old T-12 fixtures with high efficiency T-8 fixtures at Amity High School.  Other expenditures were decreased, including expenditures for supplies, equipment, technology, and professional development.

Member Town Allocations

Revenues are derived from taxation, State grants and other revenues.  The primary source comes from the taxpayers.  The budget allocations are as follows:

                              2010-2011   2011-2012   % VAR

Bethany             $  8,607,468        $  8,439,785     1.95

Orange               $19,302,889        $19,944,426     3.32*

Woodbridge     $12,735,005          $12,815,619      0.63

Other Sources  $  2,112,035          $ 2,208,791      4.58

Total                  $42,757,397         $43,408,621      1.52

*59% due to enrollment shift to Orange

 

Budget Summary:

Expenditures by Category

Category                                                               2011-2012

Salaries                                                                       $22,831,870

Benefits                                                                      $  5,371,399

Purchased Services                                                  $  6,050,445

Debt Service                                                            $  5,562,444

Supplies                                                                   $  3,158,195

Equipment                                                              $     108,196

Building & Site Improvements                            $       57,000

Contingency                                                            $     150,000

Dues & Fees                                                             $     119,072

Total Budget                                                            $43,408,621

Increase of 1.52%

 

Average Daily Membership

(Enrollment of each town)

Percentage of budget (allocations) paid by each town is based on Average Daily Membership.                             

 

Students      % Allocation

Bethany                       515                              20.485%

Orange                      1,217                              48.409%

Woodbridge               782                               31.106%

Totals                        2,514                            100.000%

Key School District Goals

The proposed budget:

  • Provides  services consistent with the District’s “Missions-Goals-Objectives” while attempting to minimize the monetary impact on Bethany, Orange and Woodbridge;
  • Implements new 8 period schedule and enhances high school science program by hiring a 1.0 biology teacher, which provides a biology lab experience;
  • Adds a 1.0 building maintainer position mid-year to handle the sophisticated mechanical and electronic devices installed during the recent construction project and continue our commitment to a preventive maintenance program;
  • Expands the use of our Naviance program to assist students beginning in grade 7 with their student success plans and responds to a new state mandate; and
  • Meets contractual obligations including debt service and mandated special education services.

 

The Amity Regional School District No. 5 Board of Education 2011-2012 Approved Budget with detailed information can be found on the Amity website:  www.amityregion5.org


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