The Ever More Costly Shuffle

The preliminary estimate for only a portion of the Shuffle is now up to $7.2 million. The $7.2 million includes $2.4 million for the BoE relocation and $4.8 million for the renovation of Town Hall.

This is far in excess of estimates Campbell provided in October of last year. Minutes of the RTM Finance and Budget Committee show Campbell stating "A study was conducted to determine the space requirements for the BOE and budget estimates were prepared by APC (A. Pappajohn Company) indicating that the cost to move the BOE to 35 Leroy would cost $1,598,801 and the cost to move the senior ctr. to Town Hall would cost $1,833,795."

The $7.2 million (and rising) price tag does not include demolition costs of the current Senior Center, nor the foregone costs of 35 Leroy, nor possible changes required by the Board of Ed because Superintendent Falcone needs at least 82 more square feet for his office.

All in, this looks like at least a $10 million project. Even the most ardent supporters of this project estimates about 400 members of the Senior Center. We doubt more than 100 come to the Center on any one day.

Why Campbell, Stevenson and Nielsen keep pushing this project is a mystery to us. It has disaster written all over it.

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.