Hebron Dollars & Sense

Attended a portion of the BOF meeting tonight, some observations and comments:

* (3) members of the public, apparently more than typical based on BOF comments.

* Public Comment: Question as to whether the BOF can change the budget recommendation that they receive from the BOE. The answer was yes than can and will change it based on input from the public. The public then votes on that budget.

Bottom Line: We need many people giving the BOF their input on the Hebron and Rham budget.THE BOF indicated they welcome and are actively looking for public comment. Their E-MAIL IS : BOF@HEBRONCT.COM

Side note: BOF responds directly to public comment. Refreshing!!



* BOF discussed with auditor how to properly represent the current stimulus funds being received. My big take away is that the current budget includes just under 1M in stimulus funds. That means that in the current budget of 11.7M, the town of Hebron is funding 10.7M and the federal goverment is funding 1m. In two years ,the stimulus money goes away and there is a high probability that the state will not make it up. That means that in two years Hebron could face a BOE requested increase in the 15% range. That means we have to start preparing for that reality now, not when it is upon us. We cannot be adding new programs and should actively pursue reducing the nice to haves. In addition, we have to drive a discussion with the unions and get moving down the path of a reduction or elimination of increases. The alternative will be a forced reduction which will result in increased class sizes with an impact to our students - an alternative that no one would like.

Totally agree re the "extras" and the salaries. It is time to take a firm stance with the union. Do whatever it takes. And the proposed RHAM BOE "option" (part of Siminski's 1.49% proposal) to eliminate administrative salary increases should be a no-brainer.

You are absolutely correct, Kevin, on the "stimulus" effect. It is going to kill us in the future. Thank you for the summary of BOF meeting tonight.

It Pains Me To say This.

But it's Quite True That Stimulus $$$$ Is a 1 Time Shot For The Budget, We Cry Poverty Now, But Wait Till Next Yr , We Will Be In A Million Dollar + Hole Is Correct, SO,Now Is The Time For A Preemptive Strike To Stave Off The Inevitable.

Read The Dead Tree Media & See How Many Boe's Are adopting Zero Budgets & The Mo$t Painful Part

LAYOFFS

Top Of My Head, Enfeild, Winsor & Others, Are Reducing The Biggest Part Of Their Townwide Exspenditure$ By Reduction Of Personell

Unfortunatly, That will Have To Be Part Of The Overall Package For The Rboe/Hboe If We are To "Just Break Even"

It Is Time To Play Hardball With The Rea & Hea NOW!

It's Reality Folks, Education Is Not A "Sacred Cow" & Their UNLIMITED GRAZING At The Financial Feedbag Must STOP NOW!

I Am "Pro Education" Per Say, Just No Fan Of Having Unmandated, Unproven Programs(ADK For 1)Shoved Down Our Throats In This Economic Climate

We The People Do More With Less In The Real World

So Can They, But I feel That The Think That they Don't Live In The Real world, Just On Their Own Little Island With Gilligan, The Skipper, The Professor & Mary Ann

ADK, NO WAY, NO BUDGET!!

ALL THE WAY WITH HDK FOR ALL!!

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I agree, NO POLITICS. Now is the time to get real and play hardball. Next year the situation is going to be 10 times more dire. With salary increases making up over 50% of proposed increases, the board cannot afford to "play nice" with district employees. Reality is, no one else is getting increases in this economy. Many, many are getting laid off and reductions, losing pensions, losing benefits, etc. That is the real world, and for school employees just to pretend otherwise is just plain selfish and unrealistic.