Last night the BOE reviewed a revised 2018/19 budget proposal from the Superintendent, a requested year-over-year increase of 3.1% (dollar amount of $2,871,640). The Board discussed their reservations, mainly with the proposed increases in elementary class size and the elimination of the additional psychologists. They once again stressed that every cut in the budget impacts the classroom in some way.
Following recent conversations with the BOF Chair, the board was reminded that a Special Education deduction was included under the legislation that enacted the 2.5% municipal spending cap.
In addition to the requested budget with a 3.1% increase, the Superintendent presented two additional options to the board for review, which included total increases of 3.55% and 4.23%. When the Special Education deduction is applied in these scenarios, the increases meet or are less than the 2.5% municipal cap required by state legislation.
Based on the discussion at last night’s meeting, the Board asked the Superintendent to revise the proposed budget to a 4.23% increase. The 3.1% increase was not in the best educational interest of our students and did not allow the district to keep pace with the established BOE goals and priorities aligned with the mission and vision of the graduate and strategic plan. The BOE emphasized that Ridgefield continues to have the lowest per student expenditure and lowest administrative costs in our demographic reference group. The Board expressed concern that we have been underfunding education for years.