1. School Budget Proposal
Vassalboro Community School

2. “Educating everyone takes everyone”
Assessing the needs at VCS led to the conclusion that resource re-allocation for the purpose of increasing student achievement in math can be accomplished.

3. A New Approach
VCS became a CIPS 1 school after failing to make adequate yearly progress in math for two years. A team of teachers, administrators, and a representative from Maine’s Department of Education developed an improvement plan.

4. Long-Range Needs
Implementation of the CIPS plan began in Once the plan is completed additional funding will be needed to ensure that quality instruction and professional development are continued.

5. Projections
Research has shown that there are problems with student achievement and that fixing those problems may mean a change in the structure of a school’s financial system (Odden & Picus, 2008). Specifically, schools need to address the issue of educational adequacy. Adequacy is linked to student achievement . Adequacy issues center on the resources that will enable students to learn at higher standards.

6. Student Enrollment
No significant changes in student enrollment are anticipated for the school year. VCS is a K-8 school with a student body of 350.

7. Core Instruction
No change has been made to the amount of salary for administration or for regular education teachers.
The position of math coach has been added. This position will be filled by a teacher already on staff. Re-allocated funds will be used as a stipend.
Funds have been reallocated to allow for increased spending for math materials, a stipend for members of the math plc, and for math professional development.

8. Other Instructional Support For Students
The positions of librarian and art teacher have been reduced to part-time creating funds that can be re-allocated to math.
Two Ed Tech positions have been eliminated resulting in extra funds which will be used for math instruction and professional development.

9. OVERHEAD
Up-keep of grounds was increased by 2%. Work will need to be done on the athletic fields and additional money will be needed for snow removal.
A five-year plan is employed when considering major projects to the buildings. No projects are under consideration.
Health insurance costs were not changed as AOS92 does not anticipate increases under the Federal Affordable Care Act which will take effect in January AOS 92 has a lower threshold than 30 hours for providing health care coverage.

10. References
Odden, A. & Picus, L. (2008) School Finance: A Policy Perspective. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.