Shorewood Schools See Opportunity for Budget Surplus in 2012-13

Shorewood school officials said Tuesday they will begin the 2012-13 budget process with the smallest shortfall in a decade, and outlined a plan to create a surplus in the final budget.

The projected gap — $429,947 — pales in comparison to recent deficits that have ranged between $772,000 and $1.95 million. Business Manager Mark Boehlke credited the drop to the shifting of retiree benefits and refinancing of pension benefits, .

Next year’s savings

Superintendent Blane McCann on Tuesday outlined a series of proposed reductions and new expenditures that would turn that initial deficit into a surplus of $167,000.

Among the savings the district counts on every year is staff turnover. As veteran educators retire, the district hires younger teachers at a lesser salary. McCann said the district is projected to save $257,615 with .

and said they plan to change providers from WEA Trust to Wisconsin Counties Association Group Heath Trust, saving $472,104. The district would remain with WEA for dental insurance, and save $19,661. McCann said a two-year contract with Wisconsin Counties Association is expected to come to the School Board for approval at its next meeting.

McCann said the district would also cap teacher salary increases at 3 percent, saving $45,078. School Board President Paul Zovic said it’s important to note that the cap doesn’t mean all teachers will receive a 3 percent raise, but that the line item as a whole in the budget won’t break 3 percent.

An additional $70,000 of savings would be found in replacing one full-time district secretary with two part-time employees, eliminating a library secretary position and no longer paying tuition costs for teachers’ graduate school credits.

On the expense side

McCann’s proposed budget also included a series of new expenditures. Chief among them is the hiring of a permanent, full-time director of instruction.

McCann said the district has $132,000 budgeted for the position but would offer a $110,000 salary and $35,700 benefits package, $13,700 more than what’s in the budget. McCann said the district would wait until a new superintendent is hired before starting the process of selecting a candidate for the position.

Several principals share the role of director of instruction.

Additionally, officials have proposed hiring a full-time development/marketing director at a cost of $75,000 who would work full-time to market the district and its image, in an effort to increase enrollment and donations to the district.

Among other suggested expenses:

• $70,000 for a computer technician
• $32,869 for a campus supervisor aide and tutor hall aide
• $53,390 to add staff for the district’s growing orchestra program
• $15,000 for a program focused on lagging students, part of the federally mandated Response to Intervention.

Bank it or provide taxpayer relief?

With a surplus projected, Zovic said while he backs banking the money to help balance future budgets, he said the district might want to look at levying less than the revenue limit. The budget assumes levying the full amount allowed.

Board member Michael Mishlove said the School Board has been cutting programs for years, and it might be practical to use the funds to reinstate cuts.

Next steps

McCann and Boehlke said the district will hold town hall meetings on the budget recommendations. They are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 3 at , 1600 E. Lake Bluff Blvd., and 6:30 p.m. April 18 at library, 1701 E. Capitol Dr.

The district will approve its preliminary budget in June, as its fiscal year starts on July 1, and formally approve the budget and levy in October.