Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 DeRuosi issues pandemic budget warning “The district will not be able to sustain this growth and progress in FY22 if we are faced with a similar situation” By Mark E. Vogler S chool spending would increase by $498,189 over the current year, according to School Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr’s proposed budget for the 2022 Fiscal Year. The spending plan that DeRuosi presented last night to the School Committee for the fiscal year that begins July 1 amounts to $30,073,439 — a 1.68 percent increase. It is the fifth and final budget crafted by DeRuosi who plans to retire on June 30 — the end of the school year as he completes his fifth year overseeing Saugus Public Schools. “This budget includes targeted critical needs for the district and a number of cost containments,” DeRuosi said in a letter posted on the School Department website which explained how and why he crafted the budget. “During my tenure in Saugus, I have always approached each budget demonstrating a commitment to strong fiscal responsibility,” he noted. “...Now in my tenth year as a superwww.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM intendent, I still resist the easy path of simply asking for more funding. Rather, each year, with the support of my team, I survey the current state of the district and the quality of our education. I also engage in the process of examining spending trends and reWE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma STAY SAFE! source allocation,” he said. “This work allows me to gain an understanding of where the district is right now. I then compare this understanding of our current reality with the long-term vision for the district. This allows me to target areas of need to that the budget can address. It also allows me a means to distinguish between the many “wants” of stakeholders in our school community from the definitive “needs” to meet our vision.” DeRuosi identified “critical needs,” which amounted to $162,397. They included: • Reserve for Non -Unit Salaries $45,750 • Restoration of the Elementary Music Teacher $58,736 • An increase in the Psychologist from .4 FTE (full time equivalent) to 1.0 FTE $57,911 DeRuosi’s proposal also includes cost contaminants totaling close to $1.3-million. Those measures include: • Reducing 1.0 FTE Elementary Principal (goes back to SMS AP position which is this salary) ($87,382) • Reducing 1.0 FTE SMS AP ($90,270) • Reducing 1.0 FTE Elementary Admin ($91,035) • Reducing 2.0 FTE Clerks ($82,402) • Reducing 1.00 FTE Social Studies Teacher–SHS ($56,519) • Reducing 1.0 FTE Elem Health Wellness Teacher ($58,736) • Reducing 3.0 FTE Elementary Digital Literacy Teachers ($171,982) • Reducing 1.0 FTE ELL ($79,526) • Reducing Sick Leave Buyback FY 22–one retiree in FY 22 ($181,000) • Eliminating Early Retirement FY 22–no retirees eligible in FY 22 ($30,716) • Eliminating Floating Nurse Position ($34,734) • Eliminating 6 noon aides ($31,320) • Eliminating Library Media Specialist 1.0 FTE ($75,139) • Eliminating 8.0 FTE Kindergarten paras ($152,346) • Reducing Elementary Itinerant Travel Stipends ($2,500) • Charging Athletic Equipment to Athletic Revolving ($20,000) • Charging balance of Special Ed TRSP back to grant ($11,627 • Reducing Psychological Evaluation line due to increase in Psychologist FTE ($30,000). In his budget message, DeRuosi noted that over the past five years that “each school budget I have presented has included reductions, restructuring, and repurposing of district staff and funds to provide Town Officials with minimal increases to a school budget. “This letter, however, must acknowledge and address the fact that we received a level funded budget in FY21. The district has managed to work within that budget and continue to move the district forward. “This demonstrates the commitment of the Saugus Public Schools to recognize the realities of a situation and continue to strive to improve the quality of education for our students,” he said. “We must also be clear in stating that this is simply not a sustainable model moving forward. The district will not be able to sustain this growth and progress in FY22 if we are faced with a similar situation. “This budget supports the district’s needs moving into a ‘post pandemic’ landscape. We are conscious of the academic deficits our students will face next year, and this budget protects our core areas of education. The reduction of force in this budget has been done in order to support this, and a few other, high priority needs of the district. On a personal level, I believe our greatest challenge lies in our ability to support our students on a social emotional level. We made it a point to keep our support staff intact to ensure we will be ready to meet the social emotional needs of students and families.” School Committee Vice Chair Ryan Fisher expressed cautious concerns about DeRuosi’s proposal and whether it would be enough, given the fallout from COVID-19. “This year’s budget is so critical after what happened last year. Covid hit right in the middle of last year’s budget process, and you’ll remember all the fiscal uncertainty last spring with town revenues,” Fisher said. “Our recommended budget increase of $500,000 was cut down to $0 overnight, and cost increases exceeded $1 million. The district did a great job of staying afloat, but we’re starting next year with a deficit of over $2 million,” he said. “We may have a fully restructured school district come the fall, but buildings are buildings. These kids will absolutely need resources after almost a full year in remote, and we can’t let them down.
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