FY 08 Burlington School District Budget Overview

Jan. 22, 2007

Goals of budget:

  • Maintain quality education programs for all students in 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 high school, 1 technical center, and 2 alternative programs;
  • Absorb cost shifts where mandated from federal and state grants;
  • Maintain a safe physical infrastructure through preventive maintenance;
  • Continue to maximize cost savings.

    • Burlington Demographics

  • 3845.65 equalized pupils (increase of 59.99 equalized pupils from 3785.66 in FY 07)
      * 500 English Language Learners; 27+ languages spoken in our schools
      * 515 Special Education students
      * Approx. 48% poverty districtwide
  • 72% of local budget is spent on direct instruction to students
      * Class sizes: 18-22 elementary, 20-24 Middle
      * 2/3 of 2nd graders met or exceeded the state standard in reading (Spring 06 DRA)
  • 19 buildings: from over 40 years to 106 years old

    • New Money Budget Increase Requested:

  • 1.15% ($438,889) is what we need to raise in addition to the current spending above the base education payment of $4,276,913 in FY 2007.
      * Adds ESL teachers to meet increasing numbers and intensity
      * Adds $225,000 to local budget to sustain after school program that serves 60% of our students (grant ending)
      * Restores library services to all schools
      * Includes funds for preventive maintenance at 1.5% of the general fund per District policy, leading to minimal use of bond requests ($300,000)
      * Absorbs mandated cost of Catamount Health Insurance, new this year ($80,000)

    • Budget facts:

  • Current budget: $38,113,325
  • Total Budget request (up 9.08%) $41,574,566
  • Anticipated Revenue budget (up by 7.93%) $41,135.677
    1.15% ($438,899) over anticipated revenue

    • Impact of 1.15% ($438,899) increase in additional spending above the base education payment:

  • CLA = 98.40% FY 2008 versus 110.55% FY 2007
    Estimated tax impact of CLA = $0.0169
    (Based on the actual homestead tax rate of $1.0596 versus the equalized homestead tax rate of $1.0427. ($1.0427 / 0.9840))
  • Assumed state homestead tax rate of $0.9000 (to be approved by legislature) estimated reduction of $0.05 from current rate of $0.95 for FY 2007.
  • Burlington estimated tax rate $1.0596 (up from $0.9920)
    Estimated tax increase $0.0676
  • FY 08 Income Sensitive Rate 2.09% (no change from FY 07)

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