There are three threads to read today. I posted them separately to give everyone a chance to respond to each separately. Don't forget to read the next two threads down.
This thread is about the budget...or should I say the incredibly quiet budget. Why aren't we hearing anything about the obvious cuts that need to be made? We are looking at over $4 million in cuts. Who is working on it? Is the superintendent? Is the Board? What's the big secret? Is it being worked on behind closed doors? Where is it?
The Finance Committee of the BoE has held regular meetings to review potential shortfall areas, and to develop the data we will need to make recommendations.
ReplyDeleteOur next meeting is Feb. 29th to discuss the special education budget and areas in which greater efficiencies can be developed.
Steve, things seems to be very quiet - there's been little talk about the budget - so since you've been having meetings as you Sid, why don't you state the savings you have come up so far, especially after the cap stated by the city - where and what kind of savings can you state?
ReplyDeleteThe Board of Estimate and Taxation has not yet determined the size of the Board of Education budget. Therefore, we don't know yet how much will need to reduced from the original budget estimate (because according to the Charter, we submit an estimate to the City in January).
ReplyDeleteThe Board identified nearly $1.5 Million in reductions from the original proposed budget by the Superintendent.
The Finance Committee asked that the Superintendent's Budget Committee reconvene to review possible areas of savings. We also reviewed areas with Supt. Marks where we need additional data to better decide how to make reductions that will have a minimal impact on the classroom.
Quick note- the "City" has not set the cap. Until the Common Council sets the cap, the BET can't decide each city department's budget.
ReplyDeleteOne need only look to the headlines in Greece to see what lies ahead for Norwalk and most cities across the country.
ReplyDeleteI agree totally. I've long felt that Norwalk's inability to devalue its currency, coupled with a recessionary austerity program imposed on the city by a German-dominated central bank that is pathologically afraid of even the most mildly inflationist monetary policy, is the true source of our problems.
DeleteWhere is the superintendent in all this. I find it interesting that the Board Finance Committee was able to find so much to cut in her budget, but she couldn't be bothered to offer anything but the status quo. Could someone remind me what she is supposed to be doing in her job?
ReplyDeleteThank you Steve for the response, I know theres been some reduction but little talk to "options" even though there is no set cap as of yet. At the end of the day, the super is not going to get the entire amount. I guess we will wait and see what she does next.
ReplyDeleteI feel for Steve and the other members of the BoE Finance Committee-- Supt. Marks is putting them in the position of having to suggest different types of cuts to see what they can save. Then, she'll get to be the one who claims that it's the BoE cutting programs and not her.
ReplyDeleteIs that leadership worth a quarter of a mill?
It's interesting to see how the majority of posts on this blog seem to always go back to bashing the superintendent with total disregard for the financial burden of the current collective bargaining situation. The bottom line is this city and it's taxpayers can't and likely won't pay. Marks, Steve and the rest of the board are going to have to figure out where the austerity measures will continue. Most likely the budget reconcilliation will not be resolved with retirements this year. All of this has been a long time coming.
ReplyDelete@3:37 AM, the bashing belongs with the superintendent because she leaves it to the Board to do the dirty work. Regardless of collective bargaining situations, the cuts must be made by someone. Obviously she doesn't want to be involved. I doubt any CEO making her salary of $230,000 would be able to get away with that.
ReplyDeleteThe real issue is how many times has Supt. Marks called her Budget Workgroup together to discuss possible cuts since the budget was sent to the City. The answer: ZERO. That says it all.
ReplyDeleteWhen is her next evaluation? Why are Norwalk taxpayers doling out a CEO salary and benefits for someone who appears not to make decisions? What does she do all day? Does anyone know?
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