Rochester School Leaders Balance Current Budget, But Look Toward Potential Fiscal Challenge

Rochester Board of Education members approved on Monday a budget amendment that will see the district move from a $4.2 million deficit to a balanced budget.

It's the result of several factors, including a one-time EduJobs federal grant of $2.4 million. A more favorable student head count and a $34-per-pupil, one-time state allocation also contributed to the adjustment.

Other factors that have contributed to the budget shift include adjustments in gross salaries and wages. Although the recent Rochester Education Association contract allowed for a 1.5 percent salary increase, the budget has benefited from health insurance savings and maternity leaves.  And despite the cold winter days, the district has also seen a substantial utility savings this year.

"It is such an unknown on the revenue side," explained Board President Barb Cenko of the budget amendment.  

This revised budget will be used to develop next year's budget. The board is anticipating a "funding clip" next year as a result of the loss of one-time federal money and a forecasted drop in enrollment of 63 students, resulting in a decrease of $394,000.

These and other factors, combined with a predicted 3 percent employer and 3 percent employee retirement, leave the district looking at a $12.6 million challenge in 2011-12.

"I am hoping we are going to have some relief from these numbers," said Superintendent David Pruneau. "We just don't know what that is right now."

Details of the amendment are available here on the district's website. Click "Feb. 14" to download the board meeting agenda packet.

Superintendent search

The board adopted a report from the superintendent search committee summarizing the results of recent

The attributes were gathered from 90 people who attended focus groups and 938 people who took the online survey.  

School Exec Connect, the search firm hired to find a replacement for retiring superintendent David Pruneau, reported that there are currently 40 applicants for the position. The firm will present a slate of candidates to the board at the March 7 meeting. After this slate is accepted in a 5 p.m. closed session, candidates' names will be made public during the 7 p.m. board meeting that night.

Anti-bullying, school renaming

Superintendent Pruneau said the board's Continuous Improvement Committee will soon look at a bullying prevention policy. 

Also, a policy regarding the re-naming of school buildings will be on the agenda for the next board meeting.

Historical society donation

Following the restoration of the 1938 Beerbohm mural recently unveiled in the Harrison Room, Rod Wilson of the Rochester Avon Historical Society presented the board with a check for $1,552.62 raised from the wine-tasting event that unveiled the mural.

The Harrison Room, where the board meets, has been rearranged to showcase the mural.