Job Cuts and Tax Hikes

Forty teaching positions and support staff have been eliminated from the 2010- 2011 Carmel School District budget.

The Board of Education adopted the $105,991,161 fiscal spending plan last week that represents a 1.79 percent budget to-budget increase with an estimated tax levy hike of 4.3 percent.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Ryan and Board of Education President Richard Kreps both agreed that the budget deliberations, which lasted for the past five months, have been some of the most “painful” and difficult in their long tenures in education.

“In light of the current economic conditions, we looked carefully at spending priorities. The budget that will be voted upon May 18 continues to provide quality educational programs in these challenging times,” said Ryan.

Kreps cited a number of cost cutting initiatives including a spending freeze on the current year’s budget; reductions to all discretionary spending for the 2010-2011 year, reductions to building and maintenance and bus purchases: “Many positions vacated by retirement are not being filled. The board also decided to eliminate extended day kindergarten and all but the high school summer school program.”

The district has scheduled presentations where residents can learn about the budget from school trustees and district administrators. A session is planned for Thursday at the Kent Public Library at 2pm with another go-round planned for Thursday evening at 7:30pm at a meeting of the Hamlet of Carmel Civic Association.

On May 10, a Meet the Candidates forum is scheduled for Carmel High School at 7pm when those seeking a board of education seat will discuss issues of concern with the community.

The 2010-11 budget hearing is planned for May 11 at Carmel High School at 7:30pm.