Citizens Alliance For Responsible Education

Can Cheshire Afford

NOT to Responsibly Fund

Its School Budget?

Protect Our Two Largest Investments:

Our Children & Our Real Estate Values

CheshireCheshire

# 3in Education

Connecticut towns sized

25,000-50,000 people

Harriman Real Estate on November 19, 2009 Connecticut Magazine

The Effect of a Good Cheshire School The Effect of a Good Cheshire School System on the TownSystem on the Town

�� A great school system is the foundation of A great school system is the foundation of

CheshireCheshire’’s reals real--estate values estate values

�� Cheshire ranked in the top 100 in the best towns to Cheshire ranked in the top 100 in the best towns to

live in the United States. live in the United States. ((CNN Money, August 2009CNN Money, August 2009))

�� A town resident said he paid $50,000 more for his A town resident said he paid $50,000 more for his

house to live in Cheshire for the schoolhouse to live in Cheshire for the school systemsystem (Board (Board

of Education minutes, February 8, 2010)of Education minutes, February 8, 2010)

How Successful Is Our KHow Successful Is Our K--12 12 Program?Program?

SAT ScoresSAT Scores Cheshire State Average Difference

503503

502502

504504

+4.5%+4.5%

+5%+5%

+8%+8%

527527WRITINGWRITING

531531(#36/166)(#36/166)

READINGREADING

549549(#26/166)(#26/166)

MATHMATH

CMT & CAPT Scores:CMT & CAPT Scores: Among the top 20 of 166top 20 of 166 Statewide Districts

How Your ChildHow Your Child’’s Education s Education Funding ComparesFunding Compares

““ The state average for spending was $13,118 per student

compared to Cheshire’s average of $11,553 per student”. Dr. Florio Dr. Florio

BOE Minutes, 01/07/10BOE Minutes, 01/07/10

�� Your child is allocated Your child is allocated $1,565 Less$1,565 Less than the than the State AverageState Average..

�� Cheshire ranksCheshire ranks 143th143th of 166 of 166 towns in towns in Per Pupil Spending Per Pupil Spending

�� Cheshire ranks in the Cheshire ranks in the top 13%top 13% of towns in of towns in ““Ability to PayAbility to Pay””

““ Cheshire schools are efficient and productive. Cheshire schools are efficient and productive.

It shows we are lean and effective. It also means It shows we are lean and effective. It also means there there

is little room to reduce without impacting qualityis little room to reduce without impacting quality…”…”Dr. Florio, BOE Minutes, 01/14/10Dr. Florio, BOE Minutes, 01/14/10

Your ChildYour Child’’s Education Funding s Education Funding is Already a Good Dealis Already a Good Deal

��With 4850 students With 4850 students (projected figure (projected figure

for 2010for 2010--11)11) Cheshire spends about Cheshire spends about $7.6 million per year less than $7.6 million per year less than the State average.the State average.

““ It is our responsibility to make sure that the It is our responsibility to make sure that the

programs and services are in place programs and services are in place to assure to assure thatthat every student will be successfulevery student will be successful …”…”Dr. Greg Florio, BOE minutes of 1/7/10Dr. Greg Florio, BOE minutes of 1/7/10

What Does it Mean to What Does it Mean to Responsibly Fund Education?Responsibly Fund Education?

20092009--2010 Teacher Salaries Impact2010 Teacher Salaries Impact

�� Town Council/Board of Education: Teachers receive a Town Council/Board of Education: Teachers receive a 4.4% increase.4.4% increase.

Reality:Reality:

�� Near zero increase Near zero increase (+0. 4 %)(+0. 4 %) in money spent on in money spent on

teacher salaries with the newly negotiated contract in placeteacher salaries with the newly negotiated contract in place..1. When one teacher retires, there is a 50% decrease in salary 1. When one teacher retires, there is a 50% decrease in salary

when replaced with a new teacher.when replaced with a new teacher.

2. When one teacher retires, there is a 100% decrease in salary 2. When one teacher retires, there is a 100% decrease in salary

when NOT replaced with a new teacher.when NOT replaced with a new teacher.

3. Increased expenses were offset by attrition, retirements, 3. Increased expenses were offset by attrition, retirements,

or unor un--replaced positionsreplaced positions

“This budget recommendation does not restore does not restore any of the almost seventeen teaching positions any of the almost seventeen teaching positions that were reducedthat were reduced in the 2009/10 budgetin the 2009/10 budget, any any support staffsupport staff who were eliminated, or replenish or replenish accounts for supplies, materials and equipmentaccounts for supplies, materials and equipmentthat were cut”.

Dr. Greg Florio’s presentation to the BOE 1/7/10

20102010--20112011 OriginalOriginal Budget ProposalBudget Proposal

““ ……it was also evident that it was also evident that prudent management prudent management during the during the ““best of timesbest of times”” has placed Cheshire has placed Cheshire in a stronger position than most municipalities in a stronger position than most municipalities to weather the fiscal storm we faceto weather the fiscal storm we face…… Cheshire is Cheshire is well positioned to provide sound levels of service well positioned to provide sound levels of service to its studentsto its students and residentsand residents””Dr. Greg Florio’s presentation to the BOE 1/7/10

20102010--20112011 OriginalOriginal Budget ProposalBudget Proposal

20102010--2011 Proposed Education Budget2011 Proposed Education Budget

…“The recommended budgetrecommended budget requests funds to support contracted increases for employees,

services and special education. The budget

maintains funding levels in most accounts at maintains funding levels in most accounts at current levelscurrent levels,, but reduces funding in several, such as supplies and textbooks.”

Dr. Greg Florio’s presentation to the BOE 1/7/10

Why Cut The

Education

Budget in the

First Place?

Why Cut $650,000?Why Cut $650,000?

“…Mr. Sobol saidMr. Sobol said he would not support this this

MotionMotion [$650,000 cut] because it will will eviscerate eviscerate the school systemthe school system and in addition, he would like to know where the $650,000

comes from. He said he cannot support this

process any longer either and thinks the thinks the budget process is brokenbudget process is broken””Minutes of BOE February 4, 2010

“Mr. MasseyMr. Massey reviewed the Board’s duties per

state statute, noting that the Board shall

maintain ‘good’ public elementary and

secondary schoolsschools……He doesnHe doesn’’t know if we t know if we are are ‘‘goodgood’’ with that many staff with that many staff reductionsreductions……He He feels it would put the Board feels it would put the Board in a place where they are not doing their legal in a place where they are not doing their legal jobjob..””Minutes from BOE meeting, 02/08/2010

Why Cut $650,000?Why Cut $650,000?

“Mr. MrowkaMr. Mrowka already said that this is a barethis is a bare--boned budgetboned budget without further reductions.”

Minutes from BOE meeting, 02/08/2010

Why Cut $650,000?Why Cut $650,000?

Why Cut $650,000?Why Cut $650,000?

“That motionmotion proposed a $650,000 reductionproposed a $650,000 reductionto Florio's budget, …waswas based on the based on the assumption of union concessionsassumption of union concessions..””Cheshire Herald, February 15, 2010

Impact of Budget CutsImpact of Budget Cuts“Further staffing reductions wouldstaffing reductions would or require wholesale changes, and / devastate class sizesdevastate class sizes or the elimination of programs. Options would have to

include programmatic reductionprogrammatic reduction such as:

��Academically Gifted programAcademically Gifted program�reductions in the instrumental music programinstrumental music program�elimination of electiveselectives at Cheshire High School in departments such as Business or Technology

Education

�reductions to support servicesupport service areas including guidanceguidance or other counseling services. (continued)Dr. Greg Florio’s Budget Proposal to B.O.E. 1/07/10

Impact of the Budget CutsImpact of the Budget Cuts

“…None of these options are good ones, nor nor does adoes a community that hascommunity that has high expectationshigh expectationsfor its school and its students desire themdesire them.”

Dr. Greg Florio’s Budget Proposal to B.O.E. 1/07/10

What Happened?

On a 4-3 vote,

the BOE

cut $950,000.

Shared SacrificeShared Sacrifice�� Teachers agreed to:Teachers agreed to:

�� the Board of Educationthe Board of Education’’s 3 year contract s 3 year contract term term

�� an increased percent share of health an increased percent share of health insurance premiumsinsurance premiums

�� increased coincreased co--payspays

�� higher deductibleshigher deductibles

�� higher prescription drug costshigher prescription drug costs

�� NeitherNeither the teachers nor the Board the teachers nor the Board pursued binding arbitrationpursued binding arbitration

Shared SacrificeShared Sacrifice

“The BOE has done a good diligence to get

this negotiated number [insurance premium]

up high. Cheshire teachers are paying theCheshire teachers are paying thehighest percentage across the Statehighest percentage across the State.”

Town Council minutes, 02/24/2009

Shared SacrificeShared Sacrifice

�� SheltonShelton’’s teacher union offered a s teacher union offered a full day and a full day and a half of pay as a half of pay as a ““loanloan””..

�� ““Walsh (BOE chair for Shelton) expressed Walsh (BOE chair for Shelton) expressed

deep gratitude to all the unions who worked deep gratitude to all the unions who worked

with the board in helping resolve the current with the board in helping resolve the current

deficit, without slashing peopledeficit, without slashing people’’s jobs.s jobs.””--New New

Haven Register, December 22, 2009Haven Register, December 22, 2009

Shared SacrificeShared Sacrifice

�� Cheshire teachers offered Cheshire teachers offered three days of pay as an three days of pay as an interest interest --free free ““loanloan”” to the Board of Education. to the Board of Education.

�� ““This isnThis isn’’t shared sacrifice,t shared sacrifice,”” he [he [BrittinghamBrittingham] ]

said said ““Deferments? ThatDeferments? That’’s not sacrifice. Thats not sacrifice. That’’s s

an insult to taxpayers.an insult to taxpayers.””-- Meriden Record Journal, Meriden Record Journal,

March 10, 2010March 10, 2010

�� Cheshire teachers are also considering an Cheshire teachers are also considering an

alternative healthcare benefit planalternative healthcare benefit plan to reduce to reduce

costscosts

As the Budget Stands NowAs the Budget Stands Now

““MiloneMilone said last yearsaid last year’’s s budget increasebudget increase was was the the lowestlowest in the past 20 years, and in the past 20 years, and this this yearyear’’s increases increase represents the represents the second second lowest increaselowest increase..”” Cheshire Herald, March 11, 2010Cheshire Herald, March 11, 2010

““MiloneMilone explained that there would be betweenexplained that there would be between

*$5.9 and $6.4 million*$5.9 and $6.4 million in reserve accounts, as well in reserve accounts, as well

as as **$8.6 million**$8.6 million in the Rainy Day Fundin the Rainy Day Fund””..**Cheshire Herald, December 17, 2009, ** Cheshire Herald,Cheshire Herald, December 17, 2009, ** Cheshire Herald, March 11, 2010

What Now?What Now?�� Council budget Committee Chairman David Council budget Committee Chairman David SchrummSchrumm,,……saidsaid he anticipates reducing the final education budgethe anticipates reducing the final education budget””..Record Journal 03/15/10Record Journal 03/15/10

�� [[BOE Chairman] BOE Chairman] ““BrittinghamBrittingham said he said he had been told byhad been told byCouncilman David Councilman David SchrummSchrumm……that that the board would get a the board would get a zero increase or close to itzero increase or close to it”…”…In a In a worst case scenarioworst case scenario““BrittinghamBrittingham said school officials will be forced to consider said school officials will be forced to consider a series of drastic budget cutsa series of drastic budget cuts……Among the optionsAmong the options……are:are:

�� Closing of Chapman elementary schoolClosing of Chapman elementary school

�� Elimination of department headsElimination of department heads

�� 25% reduction in positions with a stipend (e.g. coaching, club &25% reduction in positions with a stipend (e.g. coaching, club & class advisors)class advisors)

�� 20% budget cut for all extra20% budget cut for all extra--curricular activities (e.g. athletics, band)curricular activities (e.g. athletics, band)

New Haven Register 03/15/10New Haven Register 03/15/10

As the Budget Stands NowAs the Budget Stands Now

Using Mr. Using Mr. MiloneMilone’’ss figures (figures (Cheshire Herald, March Cheshire Herald, March 11, 2010), 11, 2010), if the BOEif the BOE’’S S budgetbudget proposal proposal were to were to be adopted, the average tax increase/household be adopted, the average tax increase/household would be: would be:

$158 a year$158 a year

HOWEVER IFHOWEVER IFThe Town Council The Town Council restoredrestored $475K$475K of the of the BOEBOE’’ss

$950K reduction$950K reduction they could use they could use 5.5%5.5% of the money of the money

from the Rainy Day Fund. This would mean the from the Rainy Day Fund. This would mean the

average tax increase/household would be about:average tax increase/household would be about:

$4 more/month$4 more/month

“In ten years, never once has a budget come

back from the Town Council uncut.”Kathy Hellreich, former BOE member, Minutes from BOE meeting,

02/08/2010

“…According to CABE, the Board’s role is

‘adopting, advocating for, and overseeing a

school budget which is responsive to the

district goals and meets the needs of all

students.’”Tom Scarice [Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction,

Weston Public Schools] and resident of Cheshire, Minutes from BOE meeting,

02/08/2010

What Now?What Now?

“…People should be told about the budget, the

mill rate, and be honest about what services will

be cutcut……This should be done outside of the budget This should be done outside of the budget process, and on an ongoing basisprocess, and on an ongoing basis…”.Justin Adinolfi, Town Councilor & Member of the Board of Directors

for Cheshire Education Fund, Town Council minutes March 18th, 2010

What Now?What Now?

“ …the CRRA contract expires in June 2010, and

Cheshire will receive its distribution of $3.5 to $3.5 to 4.5 million from the reserve account.4.5 million from the reserve account. The Town Council will decide on how to use these funds when

it comes in next fiscal year”.Michael Milone, Town Council minutes March 18th, 2010

# 3in Education

Connecticut towns sized

25,000-50,000 peopleHarriman Real Estate on November 19, 2009 Connecticut Magazine

Where will we rank next year?

““ It solves no problems to exclude parents and the It solves no problems to exclude parents and the public from important decisions about public from important decisions about education policy or to disregard the educators education policy or to disregard the educators who work with students daily. who work with students daily. Public education Public education is a vital institution in our democratic society,is a vital institution in our democratic society,and and its governance must be its governance must be democraticdemocratic,, open to open to public discussion and public participationpublic discussion and public participation””

Diane Diane RavitchRavitch, The Death and Life of the Great American School System, The Death and Life of the Great American School System

What Now?What Now?

2. How can we balance budgetary demandsbalance budgetary demands with the needs of responsibly fundingresponsibly funding our educational programseducational programs?

Questions to Ask Your Elected OfficialsQuestions to Ask Your Elected Officials

3. What are the long term effectslong term effects of our town’s present philosophy & rationale for funding education?

4. What are the longlong--term effectsterm effects of the proposed budget cut to our two greatest investments:

our childrenchildren’’s futures future & the value of our real estatevalue of our real estate?

1. What are the legitimate and ethical reasonslegitimate and ethical reasons for reducingDr. Florio’s proposed 2010-2011 Budget proposal?

This is YOUR town, YOUR School system,

YOUR tax dollars

YOU deserve ANSWERS not rhetoric and hyperbole

Please join us in requesting our elected officials to

DO THE RIGHT THING

Tell Our Elected Officials to Tell Our Elected Officials to

Responsibly Fund Our School ProgramsResponsibly Fund Our School Programs

What Can We Do?What Can We Do?