Hot topic: While there is no specific request to direct money toward hiring more staff, Ben Brown, chairman of the school board, said the overall budget will include salaries for at least two additional teachers.
“I suspect it will be the topic and the excitement of the meeting,” Brown said. “I have no idea if voters will approve this or not.”
Brown said Chichester needs help after a middle school teacher’s slot was eliminated last year, then a larger-than-expected kindergarten class showed up last fall, forcing the loss of another middle school teacher, this time to help with the lower grade.
Now, heading into September, the middle school finds itself down a pair of teachers, and it will lose yet another if a surprisingly big kindergarten class shows up again. Brown said the board will ask for money to cover a third teacher’s salary if the size of the incoming kindergarten class exceeds expectations.
“If we don’t need a second kindergarten teacher, we will return that money at the end of the school year,” Brown said.
Budget: The school board and budget advisory committee agreed on a budget of $6.43 million, roughly the same as last year.
Noteworthy articles: Two articles on the seven-article warrant request money to bolster existing accounts: up to $5,000 from a previously-established fund for school renovation, maintenance and construction, and up to $10,000 from a previously-established Special Education Expendable Trust Fund.
Those totals would be drawn from the June 30 unreserved fund balance, with the money available for transfer on July 1. No money would be raised through taxation.
When and where: The annual meeting will be Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Chichester Central School. Ballot voting will be Tuesday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Chichester Town Hall, 54 Main St.
Ray Duckler