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School plays waiting game with budget

KENT — The Kent Center School Board of Education is still ironing out a budget for school year 2009-10.

Nothing is definitive yet, due to what  Chairman Karren Garrity describes as “too many moving targets.â€�

“Part of it is that we started the budget process early this year,� Garrity said. “Usually we start the process in January, but this time we started it in October. So there has been a lot of hurry up and wait. We’re waiting for information that is beyond our control.�

One item the board is awaiting is numbers from insurance companies for teacher coverage. Garrity said the insurance plans for teachers were put out to bid earlier in the year and the board should be getting back estimates in two weeks.

“That’s going to be a huge factor in the budget,� Garrity said. “Once we have the numbers, the teachers will be able to decide on their plan.�

Also around the same time, the board will learn how much the school will receive in a federal Stimulus Package for the school’s Title I reading program. Garrity said the school could receive up to $68,000 for the program.

Also not definite: whether the board will create an early retirement program for teachers. While the idea has been discussed by board members, nothing has been decided.

“Sometimes it’s a cost savings, sometimes it’s not,� Garrity said. “We need to think that through, but we still haven’t decided anything yet.�

Meanwhile, the board is also considering hiring a teacher to fill a fourth-grade teacher position that has been open for two years.

“Right now, we have one fourth-grade teacher, but with a full roster coming up we might have to look at hiring a new teacher,� Garrity said. “It’s all up for further discussion.�

Garrity said the board would try to finish up the budget at its next meeting on Thursday, April 2, 7 p.m. at Kent Center School.

Lakeville Journal

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