Budget Woes...

Well the the long, painful process of developing a school budget for next year is finally winding down. A draft of the FY 11 budget was presented to the school committee last week and hopefully, at their next meeting it will be approved and we can move on. To say that this budget is austere is an understatement. Showing an actual decrease of 0.9%, it is the product of significant sacrifice on the part of many people in order to ensure that the essential programs for our students will be maintained. I commend the teaching faculty for agreeing to accept a 2% increase this year and to extend their contract another year for an additional 2%. The decision to accept five furlough days also represents an additional financial sacrifice well beyond the loss of valuable time for professional development. The other bargaining units, consisting of the administrative assistants, teaching assistants, and custodial staff, are all facing a wage freeze for the coming year and are also to be commended for their willingness to do their part. The administrative team also accepted a 2% increase for the coming year. All of this sacrifice was made in recognition of the difficult times we all face but mostly it was all about trying to preserve as much as possible of what we know makes our school system excellent. In addition to the wage and salary concessions made by all, there were further cuts throughout the district in supplies, athletics, and programs. Make no mistake, we will get by next year with this lean budget, but each and every one of the additional cuts hurts and, in some small way, detracts from our ability to sustain our level of excellence.

This has been a hard few months to arrive at this point in the budget process. We know that there is more hard work ahead next year as we all try to make do with less. So, there is little joy as we head into the holidays, but I think it is safe to say that there is a comfort in knowing that this was truly a collaborative effort to make the sacrifices that were necessary in the interest of doing what is right for our students. There is not much that is more noble than that!

If you get the chance over the next few weeks and months, thank a teacher, a secretary, a custodian, a member of the school committee, or anyone who is fortunate enough to work in the Chatham Public Schools for what they have done for all of our kids.

Once again, Happy Holidays to all!

The Best of Times, and the Worst...

I generally enjoy the weeks leading up to the winter holidays. The joy of anticipation mixed with decorations, Christmas music, family gatherings, and general good will make this time of year special. It is a happy time for most people and it is hard not to feel good even though the days are getting shorter and I often start and end my work day in the dark. As I said, I really do enjoy the holiday season. But there is one aspect of it I do not enjoy. It seems that as soon as December arrives the demands on my time increase ten-fold. Committee meetings, budget meetings, winter sports events, and various other engagements at which my attendance is expected, all seem to compress the time before the winter break and that is certainly stress-inducing. It seems as if I am out several nights a week beyond my usual evening obligations. Make no mistake, most of the events I attend are thoroughly enjoyable and some are even holiday-related social events, however it often feels as if I have little time for myself or my family. Lest I sound like an administrative Grinch, I really do enjoy watching our students perform whether on the stage, on the basketball court or hockey rink, or in some other venue. I just wish the events didn't all happen so close together during a time when I would rather sit back, relax and enjoy the coming holidays.

Well, it is time to turn my attention to preparing for tonight's School Committee budget meeting. I have just enough time to review my budget, head home for a quick dinner and then get back to school for the meeting. The latter effort made all the more difficult because of the relaxing comfort of the wood stove on a cold night.

Given my apparent inability to write in my blog on a regular basis, I should take advantage of this opportunity to wish everyone who reads my blog a joyous, peaceful holiday season and a happy, prosperous New Year. Perhaps I can find some spare time to craft a resolution to be more faithful and timely in my blog posts in the new year.