The Board of Education is asking the city for $64.96 million in 2011 – 2012 — about $1.86 million more than the district’s current, $63.1 million budget.
With about 90 former school employees still out of work, almost half that increase — or $800,000 — is estimated solely to cover lingering unemployment costs in the district.
The rest of the increase will cover salary, health insurance and utility increases, according to school officials.
The budget proposal also includes about $452,000 to re-hire library specialists, a library aide and guidance counselors in the district.
Those positions were among more than 100 cut last July, when the board of education started its current budget.
Superintendent Freeman Burr first pitched last week as a “level services” or “roll over” budget because it didn’t add any new positions.
The Board of Education, though, decided to add on the library and guidance counselor positions.
Board member Arlene Liscinsky, who chairs the finance committee, called the budget “more of a restoration budget,” because of the proposed rehires.
“It’s prudent and important for this community to understand we’re cut to the bone,” Liscinsky said.
The budget proposal might change a little in the coming months, as the district gets more up-to-date unemployment figures and gets a better estimate of what the health insurance costs will be.
“I still think it’s early,” Burr said after the meeting Wednesday. “It’s speculative.”
The budget proposal will be presented to the city’s tax board and Board of Aldermen for possible revision and approval.
The board urged parents to get active in support of the proposal.
“Stay with us during the budget season,” chairman Tim Walsh said.
