Darien Board of Ed Budget Meeting Tuesday February 1.

The Council of Darien School Parents (CDSP) in an email sent today states:

"Please join us in supporting our schools -- these challenging economic times are putting tremendous pressure on our school budget and attending the hearing on February 1st, as either a speaker or supporter in the audience is a huge help!"

The Superintendent asks for $81.7 million dollars in "Total Actual" spending for FY 12. This is $5.7 million, or 7.5% higher than the approved FY 11 budget and $4.8 million, or 6.2% higher than the December 1, 2010 estimate for FY 11. 

The "Net Board Budget" in FY 12 is reduced by revenue of $4.5 million. The biggest revenue item is RC-24, "Excess Cost Grant" $3 million of State funding for special education. The Net board budget of $77.2 million is $5.7 million or 7.97% higher than FY 11 and $5.1 million of 7.1% higher than the December 1, 2010 estimate for FY 11.

Total enrollment expected on 10/1/2011 is 4,871. This is 30 students, or 0.6% more than the 10/1/2010 enrollment of 4,841. 

Characterizing an 8% increase in spending when enrollment is essentially flat as a budget under pressure seems to us strange. We believe it is more accurate to characterize this as a budget out of control.

We agree with CDSP. Please do attend the meeting on Tuesday and stop the Board of Ed from their reckless spending.