Board of Education Finalizes 2013-14 School Budget

The Manchester Board of Education finalized the 2013-13 school budget as part of its meeting on Monday, May 13, 2013, which included a $1.7 million reduction to educational and sports programs. 

The school board adopted a $104,535,293 million budget for the upcoming school year Monday, which included a $1,697,000 reduction from the $106,232,293 million the Board of Education sought; the Board  of Directors reduced the school board's request by that amount earlier this year. 

Cuts do not include any educational staff, but do include cuts to a number of new initiatives that the Board of Education sought to fund this year, including $133,421 for a new director of teaching/learning, $400,000 in school security measures that have not been stipulated yet, and $73,456 to eliminate the addition of one elementary school teacher. 

The Illing Middle School and Manchester High School French programs were both cut by $52,769 each, text book accounts were reduced by $50,000, high school clubs were reduced by $40,000, and the athletic department at Manchester High was reduced by $53,668. 

Athletic reductions include five assistant coaching positions, $8,239 in athletic supplies and $5,479 in transpiration. 

What do you think of the $106,232,293 budget for the 2013-14 school year? Tell us in the comment section below!