BY DARRELL HALEN
Pelham voters will soon get the opportunity to weigh in on a $22.5 million operating budget, a proposed teachers’ contract and other spending proposals.
The Pelham School District’s deliberative session will be held Wednesday, Feb. 7, beginning at 7 p.m., at Pelham Elementary School.
The proposed 2007-08 operating budget is $22,550,134. That is $1,336,941 higher than current spending.
Some of the components of the budget include $395,000 for life safety improvements at Pelham High School, $88,800 for portables at the high school, more money for heating fuel and retirement costs, a 21 percent increase in health insurance and a 4 percent increase in transportation accounts.
If voters turn down the budget in March, officials will have to spend within a default budget – the current budget along with certain adjustments – of $22,050,613.
Other warrant articles include:
Article 3: teachers’ contract
A proposed three-year teachers’ contract calls for increases in salaries and benefits of $392,033 in 2007-08, $396,307 the following year, and $413,038 in 2009-2010.
There are currently 147 teachers.
Some of the features of the contract include pay increases averaging 5 percent each year; a one-time 3.5 percent pay increase for co-curricular positions; and a 5 percent increase in the share of health insurance premiums paid by teachers.
If voters turn down the contract in March, the current contract would stay in effect. A new contract hammered out by the union and the school board could go before voters at a special town meeting or go on the ballot in March 2008.
Article 4: salary increase
Pay for nonunion workers – secretarial, custodial and maintenance employees, principals and assistant principals, a few aides, and food service workers – would increase 3 percent if this $47,946 warrant article is approved.
Article 5: architect/engineering services
A $350,000 warrant article would provide architectural and engineering services for a high school facility.
Article 6: technology
Voters are being asked to approve $183,333 for technology, including equipment and software upgrades, for the school district.
This is the second installment of a three-year technology plan.
Article 7: special education case manager
A special education teacher/case manager is being sought to support students with disabilities at Memorial School. About $30,000 to $35,000 of the $55,000 position would go toward the salary, with the balance for benefits.
The new position would lower the average caseload from 31 students to 23 students.
Article 8: child benefit services
A $53,991 warrant article is intended to continue providing child benefit services to children attending St. Patrick School in Pelham.
Article 9: length of terms
This petition warrant article, submitted by school district moderator Ken Dunne, would change the length of the terms for moderator, treasurer and clerk from one year to three years beginning with the 2008 elections.
All of the money warrant articles, except the teachers’ contract, are recommended by the budget committee.
Voters will cast their ballots this year at the high school on Tuesday, March 13. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.