Pomperaug Regional
School District 15
286 Whittemore Road,
Post Office Box 395
Middlebury, CT 06762-0395
203-758-8258

Weekly District Update

3rd of June, 2008

from Frank H. Sippy, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools

The purpose of these weekly updates is to maintain communication about events, initiatives, and general information.  Good communication implies open, honest dialogue among constituents.

Responses, questions, and concerns are always welcome. fsippy@region15.org

PHS Baseball Team

  

Because of a school infraction by several members of the Pomperaug Baseball Team’s May trip to Cooperstown, New York, the administration made the difficult decision to pull the team from post-season play.  I appreciate the opportunity to explain how this decision was made and the protocol that the administration followed.

Even though the infraction occurred in early May, it was only brought to our attention on the 21st of May, and we then immediately began the investigation.

A parent contacted the administration that underage drinking took place during the trip.  We immediately began the lengthy process of speaking with the players and the coaches.  Following several interviews, we determined that the school code of conduct was violated (No. 20 use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or any illicit substance is prohibited during the field trip).  In working with the Athletic Director, the Principal, and the Assistant Principal, we decided to cancel post-season play.  This is a decision that was not taken lightly; and understandably, it is painful to everyone.  The investigation concerning the coaches is on-going at this time.

With just tournament play remaining in the season, the only option was to take immediate action and pull the team from post-season play.  There is no basis to the rumor that administration dropped boys’ baseball as a varsity sport.  On the contrary, we look forward to the start of the 2009 Panther Baseball season.

Part of growing up is learning from one’s mistakes. Thankfully no one was injured; and, hopefully, all students have realized the values about the importance of abiding by school rules and laws. For the good of our school and community, we need to come together, move forward, and put the past behind as a lesson learned and a consequence paid.
     

Budget Referendum

 

Thursday, 5th of June, Board of Education Budget Referendum

Voting Hours:      6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Voting Locations: Middlebury Shepardson Community Center

                          Southbury Fire House Main Street South

Starting Point: February 11, 2008

Superintendent's 2008 - 09 Budget Recommendation

$60,450,160

 Reductions

 

Foundation

 

Cut four additional buses

$105,000

Cut 55 computers

$50,000

Bus contract savings

$129,000

Cut copiers/ IT equipment

$65,000

Cut  PES carpet replacement

$35,000

Cut RMS locker replacement

$25,000

Cut PHS floor replacement

$25,000

Cut  RMS field restoration

$30,000

Cut  medical coverage for employees

$205,200

Cut a custodian at PHS

$36,000

Cut the copier clerk's position

$36,000

Increase student parking fees

$21,000

Increase participation fees

$50,000

Cut  Arts equipment

$16,500

Cut  0.5 FTE K Teacher PES

$28,000

Cut In School Suspension Law Personnel

$30,000

Cut  0.5 FTE Speech/Lang.

$24,000

Cut  0.6 FTE Music

$33,600

Cut  IT / Food Svs Clerk

$40,000

Cut MS Grad.

$12,000

Cut Overnight Field Trips for one year

$12,000

Cut a HS Administrator

$85,000

Cut instructional supplies

$74,000

Cut 6 part time aides

$60,000

Cut 2 part time media aides

$30,000

Cut 1 SPED classified person

$25,000

Cut JAG Program

$40,000

Cut YFS Counselor

$50,000

Cut Fam./Consumer Ed--MS

$44,000

Improvements

 

Cut ISS person at PHS

$25,000

Cut ISS part time person at RMS

$2,500

Cut ISS part time person at MMS

$2,500

Cut 1.0 SPED Resource - MMS

$60,000

Cut 1.0 SPED Resource - RMS

$60,000

Cut Intervention Specialist MS

$60,000

Cut Intervention Specialist Elem

$60,000

Cut SIP tutor at LMES

$15,000

Cut Part time Tech Secretary

$10,000

Cut Part time Maint. person

$30,000

Cut Asst. Prin at LMES for EC Program

$50,000

Cut 1.0 FTE ABA Teacher

$60,000

Cut 0.4 FTE English Core

$25,000

Cut 0.4 FTE Mandarin

$25,000

Cut 0.4 FTE Latin

$25,000

Cut 1 Asst Baseball Coach

$2,900

Cut 1 Asst Softball Coach

$2,900

Cut 0.4 FTE SS Teacher

$25,000

Cut 0.2 FTE Math Teacher

$12,500

Cut 1.0 FTE Elem. Teacher

$60,000

Cut 0.2 FTE ELL Teacher

$12,500

Cut 0.4 FTE K-2 SPED Resource

$24,000

Cut 1.0 FTE Custodian

$32,000

Cut 1.0 SPED Aide

$15,000

Total Reductions as of May 27, 2008 Recommended by the Superintendent

$2,113,100

Board's Approved 2008-09 Budget for Referendum 3

$58,337,060

Budget Increase

3.93%

 

 

Education Cost Sharing Grant (ECS) If we apply 100 percent of the increase in the 2009 Educational Cost Sharing Grant entitlement, or $170,000, to the 2009 Board’s Education budget proposal, the net impact to the communities is $58,167,060 or 3.62 percent increase. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains a monthly record of the consumer price index. The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the consumer price index for all urban consumers in the Northeast Region was 3.6 percent for the year ending April, 2008. The education budget is now on par with the consumer price index.

Please click on the following link to access the 2006-07 Education Cost Sharing Grant Program.  The State Department is in the process of updating this report. 

2006-07 Education Cost Sharing Grant
   
Board of Education Meeting Date Schedule Please click here for complete schedule: 
 

Schedule of Board of Education Meeting Dates
   
Inside the District “Superintendent’s Mailbag” is a short segment on the Region’s television program, “Inside the District,” where I answer community members’ questions. If you have a question you would like me to address, please click on the following link:

http://www.region15.org/insidethedistrict.shtml