Proposed school budget 2.3% less

Friday, March 12, 2010

HOLLIS – When they gather at Hollis/Brookline Middle School on Monday, voters will be asked to approve a Hollis School District operating budget that’s 2.3 percent lower than last year’s.

The $11.38 million budget was recommended by the town’s Budget Committee.

The fiscal 2011 budget- making process was particularly challenging, given an unanticipated mold problem at Hollis Upper Elementary School that must be fixed next year.

The School Board is asking taxpayers to foot the bill for a one-year, $500,000 expense to repair the building, increasing the school portion of the next tax bill.

The proposed budget includes $269,620 in increases over last year’s budget to cover contracts, teacher retirement, heating oil, health insurance premiums and a new maintenance position.

By contrast, the board cut $377,463 from the 2011 budget by eliminating four classroom positions and a special education speech position.

The School Board is asking voters to approve an energy grant, available through federal stimulus funds, that could save more than $23,000 in lighting costs.

If voters approve the proposed school budget, they’ll see a one-time increase in their tax bills in spite of the decrease in the operating budget.

The increase would reflect the one-time expense of fixing the upper elementary school.

To save more than $200,000 in bonding fees and interest, the district is asking voters to pay a one-time, one-year increase of 72 cents per thousand of property valuation.

The school portion of the tax bill, with the school repairs figured in, would be $6.81 per thousand of assessed property valuation, up 72 cents from last year’s rate.

The school district meeting, slated for the Hollis/Brookline Middle school gym, will begin at 7 p.m.

Hattie Bernstein can be reached at 673-3100, ext. 24, or hbernstein@cabinet.com.