It is by now well known that both the Lincoln Woodstock School Board and the Budget Committee supported and recommended a budget that included a reduction in personnel. This fact and the approximate number of positions was made public to the faculties of the district's schools in January. These reductions were also made public at the District's Budget Hearing held in February. As a result of that meeting, the District's Budget Committee recommended reinstating the After-School Programs and Fieldtrips. At the subsequent District Meeting held on March 19, 2009 the community as informed that the proposed budget did recommend a reduction of approximately 2.5 teaching positions.
While there has been a substantial amount of discussion in both the National and State press regarding the use of Stimulus Money, the specific guidelines governing their use is only now becoming public. At this point, Stimulus Monies can only be used to SUPPLEMENT district programs. Additionally, the US Department of Education has recommended using the funds only for expenses which are a one-time expenditure (not ongoing expenses like personnel). At this point (May 13, 2009), the budget picture has not substantially changed from the March 19 District Meeting. Both the District Business Administrator and I are closely monitoring Federal and State conditions which will affect our budget. However, the District is a long way from having a clear budget picture. That will become much clearer as open positions are filled, enrollment in the District's Health Insurance plan is finalized, certain State of New Hampshire funding laws are finalized in Concord, and the rules and regulations for use of the Stimulus Funds become published. A very tentative timeline for these events is Mid-June.
I will keep the School Board informed as conditions change. Those briefings can be found in the School Board Minutes or by attending School Board Meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.
