Superintendent John Brady made the initial presentations of his budget to the Finance Committee and the Board last night. Overall, the Supt's budget for 2010-2011 represents a 2.19% increase over this year's.

In preparation for even leaner times, this year's budget was "partially frozen" a few months ago, holding off spending on anything but the essential supplies and turning down all thermostats to 68F. To achieve the presented budget, teachers were offered an early retirement incentive package. Twelve certified staff will retire in June; only eight will be replaced, presumably at a less expensive salary step. When asked (at both meetings), Dr. Brady said that Amity could not delete any more staff positions without violating the contracted maximum class size of 28.

Finance Committee and Board members also questioned the recommendation not to pay the Annual Recommended Contribution (ARC) to the OPEB Trust for the second year in a row, the Other Post-Employment Benefits account that defrays the district's costs for allowing retirees to stay in its insurance group.

The Amity Finance Committee is composed of three ABOE members and representatives from each town's Board of Finance. After going back to their respective boards for feedback, AFC members will decide whether they need to hold the scheduled 2/22 budget workshop. Matt Giglietti, WBOF chairman and AFC vice-chair, did not think it would be necessary. Woodbridge's projected allocation to the Amity budget would be less than this year's because the proportion of Woodbridge students enrolled is going down again. Bethany's allocation would rise slightly; Orange's would rise by more than $400,000.

This version of the budget would convert a part-time music teacher for instrumental strings to a full-time position at the high school, making an orchestra possible. (A net staff reduction of 4.4 positions is noted in the presentation.) Continued upgrade of technology hardware across the district is also included; Amity is somewhat behind in its 5-year technology plan due to earlier budget austerity.

The Board went into executive session at the end of their meeting, to discuss negotiations. No further action was taken before adjournment; an item--"Discussion & Possible Action on Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program for Administrative Bargaining Unit"--was not taken up.