DOLLAR DAZE III - LIL'LORI LOOKS AT THE BUDGET

Hello Everyone, 

I was quickly glancing over the proposed budget and I found it quite disturbing that the total budget has increased about $12.7 million since FY 2011 and salaries have increased about $12.5 million.  Therefore, it appears that almost the total increase in the budget from FY 2011 to FY 2014 will be going to salaries.  Yet there was only an increase of $151,000 for non-salary items since FY 2011.  Why is an increase of $12.5 and 80% of the budget going toward salaries?  Just what exactly are we getting for all this money that is being spent on salaries, many of which are exorbitant?  Our schools certainly are not improving!  In fact, since 2010, only one school (Hood) has improved from a level 3 to a level 2.   

• Four schools (English, Fecteau Leary, Lynn Woods, Washington) have dropped from level 1 to level 3
• Two schools (Sisson and Tracy) have dropped from level 1 to level 2
• One school (Pickering) has dropped from level 2 to level 3

That is five schools that have dropped to level 3 status, in addition to the other seven schools that have been and still are level 3.  50% of our schools are level 3, not to mention the two level 4 schools we also have.

Again, what exactly are we getting for all the money that is being spent on salaries?  I think it's about time all of you start focusing on the academic and physical condition of our schools and start spending some of the $119 million on resources that will have a direct positive impact on the students.  Remember the students?  They are the ones who are forced to attend these under-performing, over-crowded and deteriorated schools.

Thank you

Lori D'Amico