Thursday, February 01, 2024

Comments and Letter to BoE - February 1, 2024

Here are my comments from Feb 1 BOE Public Forum on the Budget and an email I sent in support of the budget.

Comments to the Stamford Board of Education:

 Hello, I am Jeff Herz a proud parent of 3, 2 of whom have graduated from Stamford High School and one of which is currently a junior this year at Stamford High. I have come out tonight to support the proposed budget for the 2024-2025 school year

I have been involved and active in the schools and in the district since 2006 and every year I watch as this board or other city boards pick apart the education budget and quite frankly it seems ridiculous that not once has a superintendent proposed budget passed unscathed. This year we must pass the budget through all 3 boards as is or risk significant long-term damage to our city, our schools and most importantly to our children.

To jeopardize parent facilitators, music programs, high school electives and AP courses, school security, support staff would be an absolute travesty that would significantly negatively impact our students and all of our schools. If we don’t preserve these programs now, what will keep demand for our city high?

We have a growing city, as indicated by year over year growth of our schools where all of our neighboring towns and cities are seeing decline enrollment. People want to move here and if we want to keep a high demand then we must continue to invest in the schools, and supporting this budget is the best to do that. I know this is a large percentage increase, but no larger than many other towns in CT who are facing the same sloped cliff as we are here in Stamford. Some of our neighboring towns have already approved budgets with a larger percentage than what is being proposed.

Lets support our kids, our teachers, our support staff and everyone who tries every day to make this district and city great by approving this budget with no changes.

Letter to Friends asking for support and additional details

The SPS Superintendent and CFO have submitted an operating budget of $333,737756 or a 6.43% increase over the previous year. Had they maintained all current programs, services and staff the budget would have been $344,488,841 or 9.95% increase.

Here is a link to the budget presentation some of which I have highlighted below :

         There is an impending fiscal cliff caused by the expiration of $55M ESSR Funding (Covid related) which currently funds 100+ positions:

o   The fiscal cliff was also steepened by the city boards, holding the schools to a 0.88% increase in 2020-2021, when they were concerned Covid would negatively impact city revenue and spending needed to be reined in significantly.

o   The proposed 6.43% increase brings the 10-year running average back into line with an average of 3% annual increases.

o   This same fiscal cliff is being experienced by most school districts in CT and is not unique to Stamford.

         The 6.43% budget increase is within the same range as other districts in CT, some of which have already been approved by local municipalities:

o   Norwalk BOE has approved a 8.2% increase;

o   New Canaan BOE has approved a 6.54% increase

o   Danbury is proposing a 17.5%

o   Bridgeport is proposing a 22% increase

         Stamford ranks 13 out of 22 Fairfield Country School districts in per pupil spending in 2022-23

         Compared to state average, SPS spends 10% more instruction and student support and 50% less on Central Office (administration)

         SPS continues to grow, but at a slower .28% annually. Most neighboring towns and the entire state is facing declining enrollment

         The kindergarten age requirement being implemented this fall, where students must be 5 before Sept 1 are eligible for enrollment. This will reduce the number of incoming kindergarteners and number of teachers needed for this coming year.

         Costs for transportation, special education and insurance are all rising

         In the past the Board of Finance and Board of Representatives have cut an additional $10M from the proposed budget. If that happens again the following draconian steps will be necessary*

o   Limited Elective Course Offerings (High School)

o   Limited Special Program Offerings (AP Classes, IB Program, Early College Studies, AgSci, etc.)

o   Eliminate positions (Dean of students, Department Heads, Athletic Directors)

o   Reduce security staff (K-12)

o   Reduce office support staff at schools and central office

o   Reduce school based (Assistant Principals) and central office administrators

o   Elimination of Instrumental Music (elementary)

o   Reduce Parent Facilitators (K-12)

o   Plus additional cuts

(*) - These proposals are mutually exclusive and have no impact on the discussions with the high school teachers regarding the number of courses they teach


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