School Board Wants Changes in Superintendent's Budget Plan

Shorewood School Board members weighed in Tuesday on Superintendent Blane McCann's proposed budget for next year, opposing proposed cuts to music programs and spending $110,000 on wireless Internet service throughout the district.

In their review of the budget recommendations, some board members took issue with the proposed elimination of music directorships, and plans to add Wi-Fi and additional administrative positions. The board's concerns came one week after about 60 parents and residents

aimed at addressing a , eliminating music directorships would mean asking music directors to teach an additional class.

“I think it is our flagship program… I think we need to keep our commitment to it,” board member Rob Reinhoffer.

Music directors currently spend a period of the day one-on-one with students, but would be forced to teach private lessons outside of the regular school day under the proposal. The district would pay a stipend to the directors for any lessons.

The measure would save the district nearly $30,000. Some residents have said teachers will become burned out and students in the music program will lose one-on-one lessons with teachers. Board Vice President Ruth Treisman and President Paul Zovic echoed Reinhoffer’s concerns at Tuesday's meeting.

Reinhoffer said he also is concerned about a recommendation to eliminate health care benefits for new instructional aides.

"My concern would be are we going to get the same quality aides, if we don't offer health care," Reinhoffer said.

All members said adding $110,000 to next year's budget for districtwide wireless Internet service is something the district should wait on, while McCann said the district won't have room in their budget in the future for the one-time cost.

Addition of administrative positions was also a suggestion some board members said needs to be examined. McCann has proposed three additional administrative positions be added next year, including  $27,000 to staff a full-time director of instruction, $75,00 for a director of administrative services, and $45,000 for a literacy coach. The district has $105,00 in its budget for the director of instruction position.

McCann said the administrative staff additions are necessary to support staff and because many principals are doing two or three jobs. The staff additions, he said, would free principals for more school site level activities.

Board member Colin Plese said the district should continue to operate with no additional administrators for now. However,  McCann said interviews have been conducted and a candidate for the director of instruction position has been identified.

Zovic also suggested McCann look at ways the district can continue to the costs of the village's marketing campaign and the district’s watershed course. McCann's budget proposal calls for not contributing to the marketing efforts, which cost the district $5,000 this year.

Zovic also said administrators should find a way to ensure that class sizes don’t increase as the district loses teachers.

The district , but had to release those teachers. The district has also approved retirement for 10 teachers since the beginning of the year.

Members also said increasing the district's nursing position from part-time to full-time is important.