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SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR NEXT (June) ISSUE: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
"Decisions, decisions..."
Regional District #11 Budget Ken Henrici The Regional District #11 Board of Education has approved a 2012-2013 budget of $6,176,331, a .79% increase in thetotal cost of educating students at Parish Hill. This follows five consecutive years of 0% increases in the Region #11 budget.Student census projections, required in allocating per pupil costs, are expected to show an overall increase of 11 students for the 2012-2013 school year. However, Hampton’s percentage of student enrollment in 2012-2013 will decrease. This enrollment decrease, coupled with a Board approved $100,000 allocation to all towns to offset the 2012-2013 assessments, will notably lower the town of Hampton’s assessment for Region #11. This, of course, is contingent upon final approval of the Region #11 budget by tri-town voters on May 8. The Superintendent and Board of Education were able to adopt a .79% increase, despite contractual increases and skyrocketing fuel oil prices, by once again concentrating on efficiencies and economies of scale. Competitive bidding with all of Connecticut’s health insurance carriers helped us secure a health insurance premium increase of 0%, again one of the lowest increases to date in the state. In addition, our competitive bidding allowed our district to reduce electric generation supply costs by over $18,000 for the coming fiscal year. This comes on the heels of an 18% decrease in electricity costs this fiscal year. As in past years, we have closely examined “actual” expenditures in all FY 11-12 budgetary line items which led to notable line item reductions. Finally, we continue to practice focused, efficient staffing for all certified and non-certified staff. The .79% budget also comes at a time when overall student outcomes have shown dramatic growth. ConnCan, a well respected educational advocacy group, ranked Parish Hill Middle/High School first among 168 Connecticut districts for 2011 CAPT and CMT test score improvement. In 2012-2013, Region #11 will have even more stringent graduation requirements. Effective next year, all students, unless exempted by a Planning and Placement Team, will be required to take and pass both Algebra I and Geometry before graduating. Furthermore, students will be in the second year of a mandatory Senior Capstone Project, years before the date mandated in the state’s recently passed Secondary School Reform Act. Other notable accomplishments include a graduation rate of 98%, a 0% annual dropout rate, a continued increase in students attending college, and much improved school maintenance and facilities. The annual tri-town budget hearing will be held on May 7 at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hill Middle/High School library. The Region #11 2012-2013 Budget of $6,176,331 will be voted on from noon to 8 p.m. at each of the three towns’ respective polling places on May 8. Important Note: Although the Region #11 budget shows a .79% increase, if the budget is approved by voters, Hampton will show a decrease of $85,614, or 5.13%, due to a decrease in Hampton’s student membership.
Hampton Elementary School Budget John Burnham, Chairman of the Hampton Board of Education The Hampton Board of Education is proposing a budget of $2,285,779 for fiscal year 2012-13. This is an increase of $29,578 over the current year budget, or 1.31%. This budget includes increases in contractual obligations and other uncontrollable costs including housekeeping services, tuition for a required Special Education outplacement, and projected costs for heating fuel. It also includes an increase in the Superintendent’s salary of 60%, reflecting a change from the previous Superintendent contract of one day per week to 2.5 days per week. The budget has been decreased in the areas of salaries and wages for certified staff and paraprofessionals. These reductions came from a proposed reduction of certified staff (Guidance, Math Support, Speech & Language Pathology, and Physical Education) and the elimination of two paraprofessional positions. The Board arrived at this proposal after a thorough review and discussion of the budget through February and March.The Board worked closely with the Superintendent in creating this budget, attempting to balance the reality of decliningenrollment with the continuing desire to maintain and improve educational opportunities. During the budget process the Board was pleased to hear a good deal of community input on various budget and program issues. As we propose this budget for next year, the Board continues to explore ways to maximize our resources and economize, fully recognizing that we are in a transitional phase in the organization of administrative services. One initiative already in place is an ongoing review of administrative models, with the hope of providing efficient and effective educational leadership and day-to-day management of school programs. Another development is the formation of a joint committee with Boards of Education from neighboring towns. Its charge is to find possibilities for cooperation and collaboration in providing educational services.
Annual Town Meeting Allan Cahill Board of Selectmen In addition to reviewing Board of Education and General Town Government budgets, the citizens of Hampton will be asked to consider new ordinances at the Annual Town Meeting and at Referendum. These ordinances have been approved by the Ordinance Committee which convenes every other year to amend current ordinances as necessary and to consider proposals for new ordinances. Revised Recreation Commission and Inland, Wetlands and Watercourses ordinances were approved and sent to the Board of Selectmen last year. An ordinance to establish a Board of Finance was approved and forwarded to the Board of Selectmen by the Ordinance Committee in March. The Board of Finance would be formed according to Connecticut General Statutes Sections 7-340 through 7-349 inclusive, 9-202, 9-210 and 9-167a. If the town approves the ordinance to create a Board of Finance, it would dynamically change Hampton’s financial governance. All powers of the Board of Finance would be authorized by state statutes. The Board of Finance would oversee the Town’s financial activities and assure financial dealings are properly handled and recorded, as well as receive and review budget requests from Town boards, commissions, committees and departments in order to present a budget to the Town. Such a Board would also be responsible for choosing an auditor, reviewing the auditor’s financial reports, and acting to correct any deficiencies found in procedures, as well as producing the Town’s annual report. The Board of Selectmen would appoint six electors as members, and three alternates as members, who would serve until the next municipal election. Thereafter, members would be elected every two years on the municipal ballot. Also on the agenda will be action on a motion by Hampton’s Board of Selectmen last year to have the townspeople approve the naming of the Hampton Elementary School multi-purpose room after Hampton’s former and long-time First Selectman, Walter A. Stone. Other outstanding ordinances granting the Planning & Zoning Department the authority to levy a penalty for non-compliance with regulations and a corresponding appeal procedure are still a work-in-progress, and it is unknown at this time if they will be ready for Town action. Other items include discussion of discontinuing a portion of Parker Road and purchasing 160 acres on Route 97, the property of Kenneth Loiselle, from the land acquisition account. Also to be requested are the town’s approval to transfer funds to cover the new town garage cost over runs. The Board of Selectmen looks forward to your participation at the Annual Town Meeting, tentatively scheduled for May 17, 2012, and at a referendum tentatively scheduled for May 24th, when many of these items will be voted on. Click here to download the May issue. Thank you to all who donated to the Hampton Gazette during our recent fund drive. If anyone else would like to make a tax deductible donation please mail it to : Hampton Gazette PO Box 101
Hampton, CT 06247-0101
The Hampton Gazette is published monthly except January. It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, registered with the State of Connecticut and the Internal Revenue Service and supported by advertising revenues and contributions. Contributions to the Hampton Gazette are tax deductible.
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