Edgemont's Proposed School Budget

Nancy Taddiken, superintendent of the Edgemont school district, and the other administrators have been hard at work on Edgemont's proposed budget for 2011-12. They are trying to maintain academic excellence, make curriculum and infrastructure improvements while minimizing the tax-rate increase. At an April 6th PTSA Parent Forum in the high school library, Taddiken once again stressed her belief in maintaining class sizes in the Edgemont schools (except in select cases at the high school level). Currently Kindergarten through second grade, classes are capped at 22, third through sixth grade classes are capped at 24 and at the junior/senior high school level, the classes are capped at 25 students.

In the latest plan submitted to the Board of Education on March 29th, there was a spending increase of only 2.54% which will result in a 3.12% tax increase to residents. However, at the Parent Forumon Wednesday, Taddiken projected an even lower increase due to a loss of $160,000 in state aid (versus the previously anticipated $200,000). The new tax increase may be as low as 3.03% and will be finalized at the April 12th BOE meeting. The previous drop in the budget increase resulted from the administration's efforts to find even more cost reductions in an already tight school budget and was brought about by a decrease in the health insurance expenditure line and a very generous gift from Edgemont Recreation for equipment and supplies.

Previously Taddiken requested a spending increase of 2.85%, which would have resulted in a 3.48% tax increase for Edgemont residents next year. The original budget proposal had a tax increase of 4.8% which the Board of Education felt was too high an increase to present to voters in May. The initial 4.8% tax increase was reduced by offering an early retirement incentive to teachers that twelve veteran teachers opted to exercise. Many parents voiced concerns over losing veteran teachers and asked that the Board of Education not pursue this option but the Board felt it would help to reduce the increase significantly.

Additional savings came from having the department chairs at the high school teach a full case load next year and requiring faculty members who have children in the Edgemont schools (but are not residents of Edgemont) take over the proctoring duties for the SAT and ACT exams. There was also a substantial gift from Edgemont Recreation for AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) and athletic uniforms. Furthermore there will be some savings by eliminating various stipends such as the stipend for the Student Activities Fund treasurer.

While the majority of the tax increase will cover rising salaries and benefit costs, there is a new math program at the elementary schools and money will be spent to upgrade the district's technology capabilities. On the high school campus, two buildings will have roofs and windows replaced and science lab upgrades will continue at a third building. The high school is also introducing two new course offerings this year: AP Statistics and First Aid/CPR/AED. Both courses were approved by the Board of Education in an earlier board meeting this year.

The Board of Education will vote on the final proposed spending plan on April 12.

Caroline Tzelios is a "stay at home" mom of three kids who never stays at home. She has spent the past twelve years volunteering in the Edgemont Schools and recently completed her two year term as PTSA co-president of Edgemont High School and is the current co-chair of Edgemont's PISA Theater Committee.