Hebron Dollars & Sense

I was convinced a long time ago--now is NOT the time to go forward with ADK. But it seems like the vast majority of the attention on this site is being devoted to ADK at the expense of any other issues. Let's say we succeeded in talking the BOE out of ADK. What would our budget increase look like without it? It would still be significant, that much I know. Is it really worth dedicating the majority of resources/energy to this one issue? Even if this battle is won, won't people who are holding on by their fingernails in this town still be hurt?

Excellent points, Taxpayer. Look at Budget Issue #15 that addresses that very issue. It also explains the budgetary process in Hebron, and also cites some state statutes.

It also explains why other budgets haven't been looked at yet, such as the town budget and the RHAM budget -- and that's because they are not yet available to the public. Both of those are still in "draft form." About the only way to know what's going on with those budgets is to attend the Selectmen's and RHAM's meetings, when the budget is included in their Agendas. At some point in time (as explained in Issue #15), those budgets can also be dissected, and only then will we be able to even comprehend what the "Big Picture" might look like.

I understand it's a frustrating time, but it's all dictated by the process. With only one approved budget before the voters, we need to carefully look at that one budget so that we can finalize our thoughts on it, and be ready to move on to the next approved budget when we get it, which will be the town budget.

My understanding is that the RHAM budget may not be finalized until late April, which will give us very little time to research it and ask questions, so we need to be "at the ready" for when we do get it. Without the RHAM budget (because of the increase in the number of Hebron kids attending next year), we are not going to really have that final "Big Picture" until just maybe a week or two before the referendum in May.

again...why isn't the board telling the super to fix the budget? Give her a number make her meet it. That's the bottom line. I can't stress enough that the board of education shouldn't be the people to decide what stays and goes.

Hmmmm....I don't see a budget issue #15? The highest I see is #14, which again addresses ADK. I understand that we don't have town or RHAM budgets yet. I was referring to the BOE budget and the salary increases that comprise more than half of that 3.99%. I believe there should be concessions, and that the board should push to get them in any way that's necessary, even if that means threating to issue pink slips. I'll reiterate--no one, no matter how good a job they're doing, should be getting a salary increase of the amount that certified staff (and administrators too, I believe?) are looking at right now. People are taking pay cuts all over the country. People are losing their jobs. People aren't getting raises.

That's definitely how business works. The Board of the company decides the final dollar figure, and the CEO (or Superintendent in this case) makes it work.

In many cases, we have it backwards in Hebron, although part of that is dictated by state statute, so it's not our personal fault. The reality is: the Board of Finance decides that final dollar figure, and they do so farther along in the process. Which is why the Hebron charter was changed five years ago that dictates the BOF meets with the BOE in December to give them guidance on the budget.

Now, that was a smart move. The only problem is, the BOE just didn't hear the message. They said as much so at the joint meeting "we didn't know" "what letter?" playing dumb all along. Don't forget, there was also an All Boards meeting on January 9. How many times do you have to tell someone you mean business?

In my opinion, here's how it will all play out: the BOF will give a number, and hopefully the BOE and the Superintendent already have a good idea of what that number will be, and instead of yelling fire, they're looking at ways to come in at a 0% increase with the best interests of the majority of students in mind.

I just wanted to add something about the ADK debate. I followed the process pretty closely when they were first talking about the pilot program several years ago. I listened to parents talk at the meetings. I'm a bit offended on behalf of kindergarten parents in Hebron that some people are suggesting that parents just want free daycare for their children. As they were initiating the pilot program, there were many, many people who were unsure about the full-day situation, and many were not convinced that the full-day program could offer what they were offering at home. Others felt that the half-day program was such an intrusive part of their day that their children were better off staying a few more hours at school. The point is, I don't think parents have changed all that much in the past couple of years. And now almost all of the incoming K parents feel that full-day would be better for their kids. So I think this must have more to do with the program being proven, parents who've gone through full-day reporting positive experiences, etc. I think it's unfair to say that parents are looking for free daycare. And just to clarify, I absolutely do not think this is the right time to fully implement the program. I also do not have a child entering Kindergarten. I just think it's unfair to inaccurately characterize these parents.