Superintendent
Proposed 2010-2011 School District Budget
As was true last year, the Pittsfield School Board is again challenged to provide a strong educational program for the children and youth of the Pittsfield School District in an economically difficult time. The Board recognizes that many Pittsfield families are having a tough time coping with the impact of the recession.
The proposed 2010-2011 budget reflects a decrease of 3+%, or about $300,000, when compared with the current 2009-2010 budget (which was decreased by 1.7% compared with the 2008-2009 budget). The proposed 2010-2011 operating budget - $9,538,404 - reflects a zero tax impact for Pittsfield taxpayers, without warrant articles.
Most warrant articles also reflect a zero tax impact for Pittsfield taxpayers. Proposed warrant articles address the food service program, federal grant programs, the teacher collective bargaining agreement, replacement of the PMHS gym roof, and the reserve fund for costs associated with educating disabled children.
To achieve an operating budget with no local tax impact, the board’s proposed budget has had to accommodate increased costs in a number of key areas, including contributions to the New Hampshire Retirement System (+5%) and health insurance costs (+18.9%). The impact of these increases was heightened by the estimated reduction of funds from non-tax sources by nearly $150,000.
The proposed budget also reflects reductions in allocations for books, supplies, and equipment, as well as the elimination of 10+ staff positions, effecting reductions in the teaching, administration, guidance, and the support staff. The impact of such a reduction will mean larger class sizes and fewer options for high school students.
Importantly, the district is embarking on a major initiative to redesign the instructional program of our middle high school. This multi-year project aims to increase student engagement and student achievement. The proposed 2010-2011 budget includes increased funding for Improvement of Instruction at PMHS, which will be used primarily for the purchase of consultant services to advise on this project. The district is also hopeful about supplementing the district budget with grant funding for this exciting and important initiative.
Once again, revenues from federal, state, and other non-tax sources will provide funding for more than half of this budget; this includes funding through the state’s Adequacy Grant and Catastrophic Aid, which supports special education placements, among others.
In addition, entitlement and competitive grants are providing another $941,000 to support Pittsfield’s students in the current year; these grant sources include more than $312,000 in grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA/Stimulus). As always, the district has been aggressive in seeking and winning competitive grants to support the education of Pittsfield’s children and youth.
Features
Guidance UpdateGUIDANCE UPDATE
VOL. 4 Number 3
March 2010
Student Leaders Roll Out School Climate Survey Results: Twenty-two student leaders representing every grade level have been working with consultants from Main Street Academix to improve school climate at Pittsfield Middle High School. The student leaders administered an online survey to approximately 70% of students in grades 7-12 and invited faculty and staff to participate in a staff version of the survey. Bryan Partridge and Rachael Frost of Main Street Academix (MSA) brought the results to the students in mid-February, and led students through analysis of the data to identify goals for school improvement. That afternoon, several students shared individual comments from the survey at a faculty meeting to introduce teachers to the process of analyzing results and setting goals. Though working separately, the similarity in several student and faculty goals is striking: (more…)
Events
Art NewsDid you know that Pittsfield Middle High School’s art program participates in a virtual art gallery? Each year, thousands of art teachers nationwide showcase their students’ artwork online at www.artsonia.com. Artsonia is the world’s largest online student art museum. You can quickly search for artwork done by Pittsfield students by searching by city on the left hand side of the homepage, or browse art work by students from around the world. Click Pittsfield Slideshow to link to the slideshow showing our student’s work!
