Strong Schools, Strong Communities

Strong Schools, Strong Communities

Over the past several months the Board of Education’s approved 2014-2015 proposed budget has been vetted through a rigorous process of public hearings and review from the First Selectman’s office, and the Board of Finance. Each and every line item has been reviewed for its contribution to the district’s education system and as a possibility for reduction.  The Board of Education continues to be fiscally responsible through contract negotiations, new energy savings, and other cost containment strategies. This 2014-2015 proposed budget is a 1.84% increase over the current years’ budget.

The proposed budget enhances the core academic program by including a certified library media specialist in Monroe Elementary School and maintaining class sizes throughout the district. The budget will provide support for all students in meeting the Common Core State Standards. This budget will also provide adequate maintenance of all school buildings.  Equally important is investing in our students’ future by empowering teachers with tools to deliver technology-enhanced instruction that meets the varied learning needs of students. Our schools will continue to provide teacher training in all district initiatives including Columbia Writing Project, Inquiry Based Learning, Bring Your Own Technology, Common Core State Standards, and Teacher Evaluation. Our full-day kindergarten implemented in the current school year has proven to be a great success. The school district has also made improvements in educational programming. For instance, library media specialists were hired to integrate computer technology with the classroom curriculum

The Board of Education continues to monitor and adjust the decrease in student population with the appropriate decrease in staffing levels.  This year’s budget reflects a reduction of 4 teaching positions. The Monroe school district has steadily reduced staff since 2005, aligning the 800 student reductions with the decrease of 32 staff positions.

The cost of education continues to increase due to several factors including inherent contractual commitments, energy costs, and supplies.  With 500 plus employees even a minor increase in salary will raise the budget.  Despite the increases we have multiple years being under the Consumer Price Index. The cost of doing business continues to rise. Energy costs are going up, the cost of textbooks, paper, BOE bills, etc. There are costs that are incurred when we went to full day kindergarten.

Unfunded mandates present an additional cost driving measure in the budget. The new teacher evaluation system created by the state (SEED), is one of many examples. The SEED model evaluates multiple measures of teacher performance for a comprehensive overview of teacher effectiveness. All teachers will be evaluated in four categories, grouped in two major focus areas: Teacher Practice and Student Outcomes. To meet this new requirement the district had to invest a tremendous amount of resources into administrator training to meet the state requirements.

The new Common Core State Standards have also been a cost driver. New textbooks and instructional materials need to be aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Professional development initiatives, materials, and programs to instruct teachers and school leaders on the Common Core State Standard are also an expense.

We are very proud in the recent announcements that, Jockey Hollow, Monroe Elementary, and Masuk have been recognized as schools of excellence by the state of Connecticut. Masuk and Monroe Elementary were further recognized as Schools of distinction by the state. Masuk is 1 out of 10 High Schools in Connecticut to be recognized. For Monroe Elementary, this is their second year in a row to make this distinction. Monroe Elementary is one out of 22 elementary schools in the state to receive this honor. All our Schools are exceeding the expectation of the school performance index.

The Monroe Board of Education is proud of our schools, our staff and administration, and our students’ progress and thank Monroe for your continued support through voter-approved referendum funds. This budget will continue the progress we have made in preparing elementary students for success and secondary students for higher education. Equally important is investing in our students’ future by empowering teachers with tools to deliver technology-enhanced instruction that meets the varied learning needs of students.

Darrell Trump, Chairman

Donna Lane, Vice Chair

Mark Hughes, Secretary                    

Christine Cascella

Lee Crouch

Jeff Guttman

George King III

Amy Primorac                                                                                                                                                                                  

 Alan Vaglivelo