In the second part of our interview with Derby school Superintendent Stephen Tracy, we ask about two hot-button issues.
But first, a little background:
The superintendent’s proposed budget for the next school year is $18.6 million, which is a $1.23 million — or 6.94 percent— increase over the current budget.
The budget recommends eliminating nine positions in the district, which would include scaling back the district’s kindergarten program from full day to half day.
Members of the Derby school board, thinking that Tracy’s spending plan has to be trimmed to make it more palatable for the city’s tax board, has been trying to come up with ways to trim Tracy’s request (the tax board ultimately decides how much money to give the school district).
It hasn’t been easy, as this story shows.
The school board is scheduled to try it again Tuesday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Derby Middle School.
The public is allowed to share thoughts on the budget at the start of that meeting, according to the meeting agenda, which you can download by clicking here.
Click here to read everything the Valley Indy has published on the proposed school budget.
OK, on with the questions to the superintendent.
We asked our readers on Facebook to pose questions. A theme emerged — why does the district want to cut full-day kindergarten?
How is it that teachers are getting raises in this economic climate?
Click here for part I of our interview.
Please check back Friday, when we’ll ask about the turbine system at Derby Middle School and whether the district plans to send layoff warning letters to teachers.
