A Proposal For A Single Bus Run
By Irene MacCollar
On Thursday, April 4 at the Berlin Elementary School, the 2019 Elementary Science Fair wrapped up on the first floor while a Board of Education round table discussion began upstairs. The meeting agenda included a proposal for the institution of a Capital Reserve Fund, plans for the repair/replacement of the Elementary School stage flooring, and an in-depth presentation of a proposed 2019-2020 budget and discussion of future academic goals. Approved by the board members present was a bid for that much needed repair/replacement of the stage flooring.
High on the agenda was a proposal and public discussion of a single bus run to replace the current two runs. The idea originated from an American Academy of Pediatrics report on the natural sleep patterns of children and teens, and their impact on academic achievement. Middle-High School Principal Dr. Cathie Allain expressed the effects of an unusually early school starting time on a student’s behavior and ability to focus on their class work. She pointed out, “There is no other school in the area that starts at 7:05 am.” Research has documented an increase of graduation rates for “at risk” students with a later start time. Goals for the future school year are maintaining a graduation rate of 88% and a decrease of chronic absenteeism to 18%.
The handout suggested a start time of 8:05 am and touched on possible logistics, practical issues and benefits to the District should a single, later bus run replace the current schedule of two earlier bus runs. On hand was Karen Capozzi, Business Manager, who oversees District transportation. Her main concern, and that of some of the community members in attendance, is the possible future of current transportation employees financially. One current bus driver said, under the implementation of the plan as presented, her paycheck would be 20 hours short of what it is now. Dr.Allain admitted there could, over time, be a savings in transportation expenditures to the District but stressed what was best for the children was more important than any future savings. It was made clear no jobs would be eliminated. Another issue raised was the dynamic of putting very young children on buses with students of high school age. Pros and cons were discussed as well as the possible hiring of additional bus monitors to keep the peace. It was agreed a local study should be conducted and structured community forums scheduled on the matter.
Moving on, an in-depth presentation on the proposed 2019-2020 school year budget was led by Dr. Stephen Young. He proposed the budget would include, among many other actions, allowances for contractual increases in instructional and non-instructional salaries, increases in pension costs, and a large increase in appropriated funds for one time expenditures through the formation of a capital reserve fund. As for academic programs, funding would be made available for the hiring of an additional 2nd grade teacher and a Special Education Teaching Assistant. Stipends would be provided for a Special Education Transition Specialist, a Student Ambassador Advisor, and continued, he said, would be all existing academic programs as well as current electives and specific programs. New, for the coming school year, would be an interscholastic bowling team.
The bottom line figures for the proposed budget specify an increase of 6.28% over this year’s expenditures, a 2.07% increase in Projected State Aid and miscellaneous revenues. Should this budget pass, it would require a projected tax levy increase of 1.89%.
Further discussion of the proposed single bus run and voting on the budget will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the Board of Education.