H.S. board wants to hear from you

There was a packed house at the Feb. 11 Central High School District Board of Education meeting, as about 100 district students were recognized for their musical achievements.

With a larger-than-normal crowd, board trustees thought it would be a good time for Superintendent Dr. Bill Heidenreich to present one of the district’s budget options so they could gauge how community members felt.

“We were hoping that because we presented it on a night when there were so many awards given out, that some of the parents might want to stay and give their input,” said board President Elise Antonelli. “We do want to get as much feedback from the public as possible.”

The option the board is most seriously considering has a tax levy increase of 1.49 percent and a budget total of $108.48 million, which would require 60 percent voter approval because it exceeds the district’s tax cap. The district’s maximum allowable tax levy increase under the state cap is just .049 percent.

Heidenreich gave the board three options to consider at its committee meeting on Feb. 4, with different tax levy increases. The 1.49 percent increase, the most expansive budget option presented, would enable the district to restore some teaching positions and reduce class size, Heidenreich said.

During his presentation, he said that the district has cut more than 70 instructional and support staff positions since the 2007-08 school year, which has increased class sizes and reduced opportunities for students. Many of the positions that were cut, Heidenreich added, were in departments with electives, including business, art and technology. That led to a reduction in electives and left students without a full schedule of classes throughout the day.

If the option with the increase of 1.49 percent were to be adopted by the board and approved by voters, Heidenreich said, one teaching position in each of the five major subject areas would be brought back. Additionally, an SAT preparation course, which was not offered this year, would be reinstated, along with electives in art, family and consumer science, business and technology. A math chair for Memorial Junior High School would also be established.