By Eileen Oldfield, Staff Writer
District principals and curriculum directors are evaluating unnecessary spending, as the district seeks to meet a statewide spending freeze recommended by Department of Education Commissioner Lucille Davy.
”The areas that we have asked principals and directors to look at deal with discretionary spending,” District Superintendent Edward Forsthoffer said. “I have asked that all purchases that have not been implemented at this time be carefully analyzed. If it is not an essential expenditure, and not making the purchase would not have a negative educational impact, then we should not expend the money.”
Ms. Davy recommended districts statewide freeze spending, noting uncertain state aid and an increasingly bleak economy, in a Jan. 16 letter sent to chief school administrators.
”Given the uncertainty of the magnitude and impact of a prolonged national recession on our state’s fiscal situation, I am recommending that you immediately take the same steps that we have taken in the Department: Freeze all non-essential and discretionary district spending and carefully review the necessity of all expenditures for the remainder of the school year,” the letter read.
According to Department of Education spokesman Rich Vespucci, discretionary items are items that are not required by law or regulation, allowing districts to choose whether to spend the funds.
”The commissioner further refined it by saying she did not want to see a freeze in spending for educational purchases,” Mr. Vespucci said. “For example, if you have aging copy machines, but machines that still work, hold off until next year because it’s not required for teaching and learning a subject.”
Currently, the district is looking at all purchases it would make for the remainder of the school year, with the principals and curriculum directors evaluating the necessity of purchases, and making a recommendation to the assistant superintendent or business administrator.
Once submitted, a purchase could still be vetoed by the administration, Dr. Forsthoffer said.
In addition, Commissioner Davy is seeking input from several education stakeholders to identify state mandates and requirements the department could lift to reduce costs to local districts, according to the letter.
The Department of Education has not received any update on which state mandates or requirements could be lifted to save money, Mr. Vespucci said.
Currently, the Education Department has not received information about school funding for the 2009 to 2010 school year, and is waiting for decisions on a federal stimulus package. The state’s mandatory preschool program hinges on federal funds, with the letter stating the programs would not be funded through local taxpayers’ money.
”We are operating as if state and federal funding will be flat,” Dr. Forsthoffer said. “There is still the possibility, due to the economic climate, that aid will be cut. There is also the possibility of aid being increased due to the federal stimulus package.”
