The Hampton Elementary School’s 2022-2023 Board of Education approved budget reflects a $31,152 increase. This is the result of reductions in staffing (two paraprofessional positions), reductions to supplies and equipment, no increases in the salaries of the principal and superintendent, as well as large increases in the health insurance premiums and the cost of heating oil.

After the budget was created and reviewed by the BoE, the oil crisis developed. There was an approved 81.3% increase in the oil/propane line item based on $1,000 for the propane and an oil price of $2.60 per gallon. Currently, the cost of heating oil averages $4.012 per gallon. We used 15,000 gallons because of Covid ventilation requirements, which mandated that the system operate all day, every day. If the current price per gallon remains in place for 2022-2023, our costs will rise by an unbudgeted $21,180. This will directly cut into our requested increase leaving us with an increase of $9,972 to cover the budgeted $31,152 cost increases.

I urge the citizens of Hampton to approve this budget. We have cut certified staff as well as paraprofessionals over the past four budgets. We operate Teams of one teacher teaching two grades. We have kept our school open during the two years of the crisis caused by Covid. We have kept our students learning with direct instruction. They have not lost any learning time and are demonstrating appropriate learning progress. Our full time nurse, Ms. Danielson, has kept us all healthy and reported weekly to our parents. The students still enjoy learning art, music, gym, and health. We have been blessed with community support from large air filled decorations for the holidays to offering free breakfast, snacks, and lunches to all of the students.

Are we getting a “Bang for our Bucks?” asked BoE member David Halbach.

I believe you are.

Dr. Frank Olah

Hampton Elementary School  Superintendent