Haverford School Board considering service cuts

HAVERFORD — School officials proposed a number of belt-tightening measures at the March 19 board meeting, intended to scale down a 5.6 percent tax increase projected in the 2009-2010 preliminary budget.

Some of the options on the table include potentially controversial cuts in nonessential programs and services, and fees for programs currently offered at no charge.

Phil Hopkins, chairman of the finance committee, noted the budget process began this year with a projected 5.9 percent tax increase, which seemed unacceptable in the current economy. Staff succeeded in bringing the increase down a few notches, but the goal is to get as close to the 4.1 state-mandated cap as possible, Hopkins said.

Since there are “no big chunks of money lying around,” staff must look at various “areas where we can gather savings to keep our budgetary increase at a reasonable level,” said Superintendent William Keilbaugh.

Keilbaugh first discussed least-painful sources, such as lower energy costs, upcoming retirements, attrition, and possible staff reorganizations that could yield a total $800,000-$900,000.

More controversial, Keilbaugh asked the board to consider “precedent-setting” measures to help offset costs of programs the district currently funds.

While after-school clubs and sports teams at the middle and high schools provide invaluable benefit to students, they cost about $800,000 annually.

Keilbaugh proposed a $20 athletics/activities fee per student, saying such a fee is minimal and would help the district save $17,000 to $20,000.

And to help defray costs of remedial summer-school programs offered for free, parents could be asked to contribute $85 per student. The district spends $75,000-$80,000 on these programs, offered two to four hours daily for five weeks. Keilbaugh noted that in today’s market, private tutors receive $45-$75 per hour.

Tuition would be waived for families needing assistance, Keilbaugh said.

Keilbaugh also asked the board to think about discontinuing the after-school Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools (FLES) program. Begun last year, after FLES was eliminated from the elementary school curriculum, the afternoon program has experienced declining enrollment and sporadic attendance. Estimated savings would total $13,000 to $14,000.

Additionally, Keilbaugh pointed out that school buses transport elementary school students to and from music programs at Haverford High School in the afternoon. Asking parents to pick up children at the high school would save dollars and alleviate logistical problems.

In the ensuing discussion, Hopkins said the question to ask is whether shifting costs to parents was a fair and reasonable thing to do in a severe recession. On the other hand, he said some feel people should always have to pay something so they value it.

Board President Denis Gray said, “As long as we have assistance in place for those who can’t afford it, I’m fine with those, except athletics.”

Gray noted that sports could require substantial investments in equipment, clubs and more

Karen Renshaw expressed concern that summer-school tuition might be an excuse for parents to defer.

“We’re providing 50 to 100 hours of free tutoring and asking parents to pay for 1.5 hours to offset costs,” said Keilbaugh. “Our biggest frustration is people don’t come. Asking parents to contribute some dollars might help us with that issue and save about $24,000.”

Discussion resumes in May, with the final budget adoption slated for June.

http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2009/03/27/main_line_times/news/doc49cd04bb754d2729121761.txt

Blue Thursday: March 5th, 2009

BLUE THURSDAY

Police officers are under attack and citizens are fed up. It's time to let our friends and neighbors know that we support the men and women who put their lives in danger to protect ours.

Thursday, March 5, 2009 is "Blue Thursday," a special day created and promoted by Dom Giordano and The Big Talker 1210, WPHT. Dom is asking listeners from all over the Delaware Valley to show their support for police officers who are increasingly under fire from armed criminals on our streets. Show your support by wearing blue, or decorate your car, home, or place of business with blue ribbons or blue lights, encouraging everyone you know to do the same and show support for police officers throughout the region.

The Big Talker 1210 urges you to show additional support for officers by wearing blue, or decorate your car, home, or place of business with blue ribbons or blue lights, encouraging everyone you know to do the same and show support for police officers throughout the region on "Blue Thursday."

The Big Talker 1210's Dom Giordano will host a special live broadcast from Geno's Steaks from 6 PM to 12 Midnight on Thursday, March 5th. Dom and an array of special guests will discuss and analyze the reasons for the recent rash of police killings in Philadelphia and ways to reduce gun violence and make our streets safer.

"Blue Thursday" coincides with next Joey Vento's Geno's Steaks fund raiser for the families of fallen Philadelphia Police Officers. Joey Vento will again donate all dollars generated by sales of his famous cheese steaks from 10 AM on Thursday, March 5th until 6 AM on Friday March 6th. Previous individual Geno's fund raising efforts have raised more than $50,000.

On "Blue Thursday" The Big Talker 1210 will also debut our new Salute-A-Cop promotion where we will begin to regularly recognize officers for individual excellence on the job.