MIDDLEBURY — A group of around 20 Middlebury residents joined their local school board on Wednesday evening to vote unanimously for 2013-2014 spending plan of $6,418,788 for Mary Hogan Elementary School.
The meeting lasted around one hour, according to ID-4 school board Chairwoman Ruth Hardy.
“There were some good questions and people seemed genuinely supportive” of the budget, Hardy said.
People at the meeting also agreed to place $100,000 from a fund balance into an education reserve fund, and extended their appreciation to several veteran staff who will be leaving at the end of this academic year.
The approved budget reflects a 4.46-percent increase in spending that will preserve current programs and beef up science, technology, engineering and math instruction. It includes an additional 50-percent of a full-time-equivalent teaching position (at a cost of $43,429) to fortify math and science instruction. This will allow the school to, among other things, increase students’ technology literacy, integrate engineering concepts and skills within elementary science topics, and extend some specialized programs for the most proficient students.
Other elements influencing the 2013-2014 budget include:
•  An additional 15 minutes per day of compensated time for paraprofessionals, amounting to $25,500. This comes in conjunction with the board’s decision to lengthen the school day by 15 minutes, as allowed by the current teachers’ contract.
•  Additional reading instructional materials, at a cost of $9,000.
•  $27,406 for school-based clinician services provided to some students through the Counseling Service of Addison County.
•  A combined total of $16,850 for various school improvements, including landscaping; and replacement of bathroom stalls, some furniture and carpets.
•  $3,000 for new computer purchases.
•  $3,000 for professional development.
Reporter John Flowers is at [email protected].