Superintendent of Schools Dr. Shine presented a report to the Board of Education in which he shared recent accomplishments and activities from around the schools. He highlighted the fifth grade plays at each of the three elementary schools and the first grade musical at Milton School, Midland School's recent anti-bullying project, High School students' visit to the United Nations for the Model UN Program, High School senior Faith Logan's accomplishment as a Finalist in the 2012 Opera Idol competition, and achievements earned by both the Girls and Boys Winter Track Teams. He also noted that Spring Recess begins this Friday, April 6, and will continue through next week. Schools will be closed for students during this time, although buildings and offices will be open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. School will resume on Monday, April 16.

The Board approved a gift of $1,000 from John Boname through the Schwab Charitable Fund for wherever it is needed most.

The Board acknowledged the retirements of Carol Havlin, Lisa Jenner, and Carol Seltzer. Board President Laura Slack noted that there will be more opportunities to thank all retiring staff members as we approach the end of the school year in June.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Kathleen Ryan led a presentation on the proposed 2012-13 budget. The presentation addressed the questions and comments that were shared during the Open Topics Forum on March 27. The Board expects to adopt the budget during the next meeting, to be held on Wednesday, April 18.

Prior to beginning the budget discussion, Board President Laura Slack read a statement clarifying the misperception expressed at the March 27 Board meeting, that facility spending and personnel cuts in the budget for next year are somehow linked. She affirmed that they are not linked, and explained that the cuts are measures that would have to be taken in order to deal with the tax cap with no mandate relief, a challenge school districts across the state are facing. Mrs. Slack stated, "In March, Dr. Shine proposed his recommended budget, which had staffing reductions in it. He did so in order to have a tax-compliant budget. There was also a recommendation to fund facility work - the locker rooms - from first, bond money if there is any bond money left over after we get the bids in, and second, from reserves. The facility work are one-time expenses, which makes sense to fund from one-time money, like leftover money from the bond if the bids come in low, or reserves." 

She further explained, "This administration and Board would never conceive of making staff reductions in order to fund facility work. So I need to make clear tonight that the two are not linked in any way, staff reductions were included in the budget proposed by Dr. Shine in order to remain a tax cap compliant budget."