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Ask the Superintendent -
May 14, 2008
In last week’s column, I highlighted the major
reasons our expenses have increased for the 2008/09
school year. This week’s article will explain some
of the efforts made by the District to conserve
resources and present a responsible budget in light
of rising costs.
Our four building principals worked with their staff
to present either a 0% increase or a reduction in
their budgets for the 2008/09 school year. Another
way to view this is next year, each school building
must operate on either the same funding received in
2007/08 or, in some cases, less. The Technology
Department will also operate with a 0% increase next
year. There will be no new staff or new programs
added in the 2008/09 budget. (We are required by
State mandate, however, to add a special education
teacher to work with students at John S. Burke, St.
John’s Elementary, and Goshen Christian. This is
known as a “District of Location” teacher).
Instead of paying outside contractors to do some of
the work, our Buildings & Grounds Department is
making most of the necessary improvements and
repairs in the District. For example, our
maintenance staff is currently repairing the loose
brick on the wall above the C. J. Hooker cafeteria.
Last fall they re-pointed a large section of masonry
and the cap stones above the third floor at the Main
Street School. The Buildings & Grounds Department
also completed the drainage and resurfacing of the
C. J. Hooker Athletic Fields in the spring of 2007.
We are fortunate to have many talented individuals
on staff who have the knowledge and skill to
complete projects of this nature.
The new telephone system installed last fall
replaced an older more expensive system, and has
begun saving the District money. It is estimated the
yearly telephone savings will be $35,000 with our
new direct inward dialing system.
Recently, the Times Herald Record published an
article showcasing a school district that was
considering adopting a “No Idling Policy” for their
school buses. We have had a “No Idling Policy” in
place in the Goshen District for three years. While
we have no control over the rising cost of fuel, we
do have some control over the amount of fuel we use.
This summer we will undertake a comprehensive review
of current bus routes and bus stops to seek ways to
reduce fuel consumption.
A school district, size put aside, is no different
from any household in our community. We too must
find additional ways to operate more efficiently and
reduce costs in the current economic environment.
Roy Reese
Superintendent of Schools |
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