Board reviews sections of budget

Baldwin school officials unveiled the district's proposed capital and administrative budgets on March 3, and it appears that those spending plans will increase by a relatively small margin next year.

The total administrative budget will increase by $377,490, a 2.3-percent increase from the current year. As in past years, the increase is due largely to contractual increases in administrative salaries and benefits.

The district is also obligated to pay $22,000 in taxes for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The controversial tax was approved by the state Legislature last year in an effort to bail out the cash-strapped agency. But the governor has said that school districts will be reimbursed for the tax.

Officials have budgeted for $14.97 million in the capital budget, an increase of 1.3 percent. The district has several improvement projects slated to be completed next year, many of which are being paid for with capital reserve funds. The projects are mostly repairs and/or replacements. Details on specific projects can be found on the Baldwin School District’s Web site under "Budget Information."

One major project being proposed is something the Board of Education has been contemplating for some time. Officials want to revamp a portion of the District Office, which is mainly used for administrative purposes, but also home to many students taking part in an alternative education program. The program — comprised mostly of basic subject material — services about 25 students per semester. Officials are looking to relocate a maintenance shop at the District Office to make additional space for the program.

"We can easily double that amount," Superintendent Dr. James Mapes said of the number of students that could be brought in after the renovation.

The project, one of those being paid for with capital reserve funds, is subject to approval by the state education department.

Also reflected in the capital plan is a reduction in fuel costs at all of the schools — a savings that can be attributed to the replacement of district heating systems completed over the past several years.

Officials will review the program portion of the proposed budget on March 16 at 8 p.m. at the District Office. On March 24, revenue discussion, a final review of the budget, and adoption are scheduled.