Newfields Elementary outlines modest budget changes ahead of public hearing
Summary
Principal Susie Griffith says the school’s proposed budget reflects largely contractual costs — a $141,500 net change with only $8,000 in new spending — and invites residents to a Jan. 14 public hearing and Feb. 5 deliberative session.
Susie Griffith, principal of Newfields Elementary School, outlined proposed budget changes and upcoming public meetings, saying the net budget change is $141,500 and most of it is contractual. "This increase is a small targeted investment within an otherwise largely fixed budget," she said.
Griffith said teachers are covered by an active collective bargaining agreement with step increases and that paraprofessionals are in a negotiation year; any increase for paraprofessionals will be reflected in Warrant Article 2. "This is a negotiation year for the paraprofessionals so their increase will be reflected in warrant article 2," Griffith said. She added that all nonunion employees were placed at a 3% increase.
The principal listed several line-item adjustments meant to align the budget with historical spending and contractual obligations: just over $4,000 added to professional development to support teacher training; $3,934 added across lines tied to the district's multi-year contract with bus company First Student; the substitute line increased to $1,000 due to higher historic use; $500 added for general teaching supplies; and trash removal costs were increased by $1,000. Griffith said health and dental rates rose per a quote from the Provider Health Trust.
Griffith described the distribution of the School Administrative Unit (SAU) assessment as unchanged overall: "the town's equalized valuation over the SAU budget was a zero percent increase," she said, but noted the allocation changed across districts depending on enrollment and valuation shifts.
On net figures, she said, "of the total $141,500 budget change, only 8,000 represents new increases," and there is a $36,500 decrease in facilities that offsets part of the change. The principal framed the adjustments as targeted responses to fixed contractual costs and documented operational needs.
The school announced a public hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. and a deliberative session on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m., both in the multipurpose room. "Hope to see you there," the video concluded.
Next steps: the public hearing and deliberative session will be the opportunities for residents to ask questions about Warrant Article 2 (paraprofessionals) and the proposed budget changes.
