BOE Approves Budget and Calendar; "Race to the Top" Delayed

The Norwalk BOE approved the Superintendent’s 2010-2011 operating budget and school calendar at their meeting last night.

Early in the meeting,  Mayor Richard Moccia, ex-officio member of the BOE, outlined a grim financial picture for the City saying that tax revenue and state aide have decreased significantly, while home foreclosures and unemployment have increased.  He said that Board of Estimation and Taxation would not look favorably upon the $155 million budget, which includes a 3.4% ($5 million) increase over last year.  The City is recommending a zero increase budget.

“We cannot have a 7 or 8% tax increase,” said Mayor Moccia, which is what it would require to support the proposed school budget. 

Superintendent Papallo said that he was not surprised by the City’s position and that the district is already investigating ways to reduce the budget.

The Board voted 7-2 to approve the superintendent’s current budget, with Steve Colarossi and Sue Haynie voting to delay approval.

“I still have many unanswered questions,” said Mr. Colarossi who suggested sending the budget to the Finance Committee and reconvening a special meeting next week to approve the budget. In particular, he said he has yet to get an explanation about why Rowayton and Marvin Elementary Schools have a decrease in funds for school aides this year.  He also said there is opportunity to decrease legal fees.

Ms. Haynie said that the public should be given more time to weigh in on the budget before the Board’s sign off.  

“Most people have not had time to look at this budget,” said Ms. Haynie.  “I feel we are putting the cart before the horse.  If we send it to committee, there is more time for community input and transparency of the process.” 

However, Board Chair Glenn Iannacone supported sending this budget to the City.   “I think we should pass this through.  We know that 3.4% is not going to stand, but this way we are not waiting till last minute to get the process going.”

Board Member Jodi Bishop-Pullan also recommended approving the budget but expressed concern about how the budget would be reduced without cuts in programs.

“Parents need to understand that this kind of reduction means cutting programs,” she said. 

The Board also voted 8-1 on approving the proposed 2010-2011 calendar, with only Ms. Haynie opposing.

Ms. Haynie suggested reconvening a calendar committee that was assembled last year but was unable to finish its work because former Superintendent Sal Corda resigned.  She said that the committee was in the process of discussing start and end dates, early dismissals and holidays.  She stressed that the calendar was about “time on task” and “student achievement”.

“It’s only January 5th.  We clearly have time,” said Ms. Haynie.

Board Member Jack Chiarmonte said that the he received many complaints last year because the calendar was set in March and not earlier.

“People need to plan their vacations.  Some people need to book their time-shares,” he said.

Ms. Bishop-Pullan said the calendar requires a "full study" that cannot be accomplished in a few weeks. 

Mr. Iannacone and Dr. Papallo suggested convening a calendar committee with parents once the new superintendent is in place. 

“The calendar is a complex issue,” said Dr. Papallo.  “I have noted it down in the transition for the new person.”

The Board also discussed Race to the Top Funding, a $4 billion education reform initiative by the Obama administration for which states have to compete for funds. 

The discussion revolved around whether to become a “participating” district and sign onto the State’s Memorandum of Understanding by January 11th. 

Assistant Superintendent Tony Daddona told the Board that if Norwalk signs onto the State’s application (and if CT were awarded the grant), the city would receive $1.4 million over a four-year period.  He said that some of the programs that the State’s application requires, like secondary school reform, revising teacher evaluations, implementing national common standards, updating data systems, may require an investment of funds and a change in teacher contracts.  He questioned the financial feasiblity of this proposition and said that Norwalk is already implementing many of the improvement initiatives outlined by the State.

Ms. Haynie asked Mr. Daddona how other districts like Norwalk that are “in need of improvement” were addressing the issues he brought up and is there a way to collaborate with them on the grant.  She believed that there is potentially more than $1.4 million available for Norwalk, depending upon how many districts in the State sign onto the application. 

Bruce Mellion, president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, whose opinion was sought by the Board, said that the application appears to be a back-door for secondary school reform, a long time project of the State, and that the district should not get involved at this time. 

“The numbers are not there.  I don’t think we should do it.  We don’t have a handle on it,” he said.

Several Board members, including Mr. Iannacone and Ms. Bishop-Pullan expressed concern over the Jan. 11th deadline to sign on, saying that it was too important a decision to make hastily. The Board agreed that they would continue to collect data and get involved in the grant process for the Phase 2 deadline in June.

Ms. Haynie reminded the Board that the issues brought forth by Race to the Top are “not going away.” 

“This is where education is going,” she said. 

Finally, Ms. Haynie announced that the Curriculum Committee will meet on Jan 11th.  The Communications Committee, chaired by Erin Halsey, will meet earlier on the same day.