Board of Ed to Finalize Budget Cuts Tonight

The Board of Education will finalize $4.22 million in cuts to the proposed school budget during a meeting at 8 p.m. tonight.

The meeting will consider the proposal made by Schools Superintendent Margaret Dolan during last Tuesday's meeting in response to Gov. Chris Christie's decision to cut Westfield's school aid by $4.22 million earlier this month. Dolan's proposal includes laying off 27 district staffers, eliminating eighth grade athletics and stopping the purchase of library books.

Dolan's proposal has been debated in the board's finance committee over the past week, with the committee developing a final budget proposal for the board. Last week, BOE Vice President Julia Walker, the finance committee chairwoman, noted that it is possible the committee will amend Dolan's proposals before the final budget is adopted. The board has also received comments from the county school superintendent over the last week based on the budget proposal presented last week.

A public hearing is planned on the budget during the meeting. Due to an anticipated higher than normal attendance, the meeting has been relocated from the board's Elm Street headquarters to the high school cafeteria. It is not known if any members of the state legislature plan to attend and address the board this evening. Last week, Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) chose to address the board.

Proposed Budget Cuts

• State Mandated Insurance Contribution - $525,000 savings
• Redistribution of Federal Stimulus Funds - $428,654 savings
• Institution of a Student Activity Fee - $125,000 in new revenue
• No purchase of new library books - $202,779
• Reduction in school supplies - $221,,665
• Reduction in technology spending - $100,000
• Two classfied students returning to Westfield - $130,000
• Contract Giveback Regarding Insurance Eligibility - $180,000
• Administrator Givebacks - $55,000
• Elimination of paper calendars - $7,000
• Elimination of High School Intramural Sports - $8,132
• Elimination of Intermediate School Intramural Sports - $12,198
• Elimination of Eighth Grade Sports - $31,054
• Elimination of grade level coodinators at intermediate schools - $16,410
• Elimination of health coordinators - $4,958
• Elimination of fall intermediate school dramas - $4,858
• Elimination of WHS spring drama competition - $3,332
• Pay Cut for Substitute Teachers - 10-percent
• Ten paraprofessionals laid off
• Three librarians laid off
• Two Intermediate School counselors laid off
• Two fine arts teachers laid off
• One basic skills teacher laid off
• Six elementary school teachers laid off.
• One kindergarten teacher laid off.
• One WHS special education teacher laid off
• One WHS math teacher laid
• Restructuring to WHS guidance office.