The Regional District #11 Board of Education has approved a 2023-2024 budget of $6,844,409, a 2.97% increase in the total cost of educating students at Parish Hill. Please keep in mind that during the 2023-2024 school year, projected cost increases in one line item alone, outplaced special education costs, will exceed the total requested increase of $197,482. In fact, just three unanticipated outplaced student costs alone, students who moved into the district after the budget was adopted, will total approximately $509,547or over 7.5% of the proposed budget. Furthermore, health insurance costs will rise 25.7%, electricity costs by about 40% and heating oil costs by over 30%. This budget comes at a time when special education funding through the Excess Cost Grant will do little or nothing for small districts with mainly large districts benefitting from funding changes,
Our responsible approach to budgeting has led to an average increase of approximately 1% per year during the last twelve fiscal years. The Superintendent and Board of Education were able to adopt a 2.97% budget increase by controlling spending, concentrating on efficiencies and economies of scale, and through efficient assignment of certified and non-certified personnel. As in past years, we have closely examined “actual” expenditures in all FY 21-22 and FY 22-23 budgetary line-items, leading to some notable line-item reductions. We have also effectively used federal/state grants to maximize efficiencies and to reduce the strain on our operating budget. Furthermore, I am particularly proud that we have continued to provide a high-quality education for all of our students despite budgetary constraints due to staff contractual increases, magnet and Vo-Ag school tuition increases and special education outplaced costs. Despite all of these challenges, during fiscal year 22-23, we were one of only a few districts in our area that stayed within our approved budget, even with many additional COVID expenses.
We are also proud to report that Parish Hill has an impressive graduation rate and a negligible dropout rate. Student attendance is above the state average, and overall student assessment outcomes continue to be on the rise. Furthermore, we offer 12 AP courses to our students and a Fuel Ed distance learning program to address credit recovery and allow students to study Latin, German, and Mandarin. In addition, our five-year capital improvement plan is designed to significantly upgrade school facilities and infrastructure.
We welcome residents to view for themselves these facility improvements.
The annual tri-town budget hearing will be held on Monday, May 1 at 7pm. The Region #11 2023-2024 Budget of $6,844,409 will be voted on from noon to 8pm at each of the three towns’ respective polling places on Tuesday, May 2.
Kenneth Henrici, Superintendent