Budget numbers are somewhat misleading

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

To the Editor:

An article in The Cabinet regarding the Souhegan Cooperative Budget states the operating budget is only up $13K. Based the default budget the proposed budget shows and increase over 2011-2012 as $352,401 not $13K. This is based on the guidelines as to how the default budget is arrived at. Prior year approved budget (2011-2012) plus contractual expenditures.

The manner in which the $13K number is arrives at is somewhat misleading as it includes debt/interest payments of $458,711. The increase before reduction in debt/interest payments is $471,469. This is the true increase in expenditures. Debt reduction relates to the bonds that were approved many years ago and should not be consider and operating expense. Once the bonds are paid off you would assume that these funds were no longer needed and the cost of running the school would go down. Well guess what: The administration and the School Board have found a way spent that money and cover it up the best way they can.

The increase from 2010-2011 actual expenditures to 2012-2013 budget expenditures for Souhegan has increased, before debt/interest payment, by $1,067,273 while debt/interest costs have gone down by $542,905 for a net increase of $524,368. The net increase is low and that’s what the administration/School Board wants the public to think and allows them to ignore the real issue of increased costs for non capital expenditures. Based on the current approach, in 2013-2014 you should be ready to give them an additional $594,355 as the debt gets paid off in 2012-2013.

I was told that only two people showed up for the budget hearing. I guess you can’t complain about the costs of education if you don’t show up for the Deliberative Session that will be held on Feb. 8, at 7:00 pm. You can always vote for the default budget which is $171,967 less.

WILLARD ARCHIBALD

Mont Vernon