By Chuck Amaral

 · The Lunenburg School Committee met on Wednesday, Jan. 5 to discuss Superintendent Loxi-Jo Calmes’ recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2012.

 · The federal stimulus funds that Lunenburg has been using for the past few years will not be in use for the next fiscal year according to Calmes; $231,000 will still be in use for 2012. Calmes said there was a general “lack of predictability” regarding federal funds.
 
 · Fiscal Year 2011 grants that are still in use include an $88,762 Title 1 grant (down from $120,000 last year) and the schools also have an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grant of $372,990.

 · Revolving Fiscal Year 2011 anticipated revenues include $176,000 for athletics (down from roughly $185 per season). According to Calmes, this needs to be returned to previous higher levels. Other revenues include $189,000 from the Circuit Breaker fund, $488,804 from non-resident students and $362,620 from choice student revenue.
 
 · By October 1, enrollment at the Primary School was at 331 students. This didn’t include the preschool population, which has decreased by four students since October.

 · At Thomas C. Passios, students are distributed fairly evenly across all grade levels, with grade 4 one of the higher enrolled. Total enrollment is at 361.

 · Since October’s headcount, Turkey Hill Middle enrollment has declined about five students from 378.

 ·  Calmes said that now that Shirley and Ayer are regionalizing, the number of non-resident students is declining. Since Lunenburg High School’s October headcount of 532 (this total includes 57 Shirley students and 68 choice students), the school has gained two students. Overall, total K-12 enrollment stands at 1,602 students.

 ·  The Superintendent’s recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2012 is $15,513,768, with $10,696,620 going to personnel, and $4,817,148 for non-personnel costs.

 ·  Calmes recommended salaries from non-resident students at $283,000. Total personnel increases for Fiscal Year 2012 would be $505,000. This also includes $93,000 in salaries from ARRA, $42,000 for the addition of a teacher and clerical position, and $87,000 for moving five part-time staff members to full-time. Non-personnel increases include $200,000 for tuitions, $171,000 from ARRA (outside the budget), $161,000 for health insurance, $32,036 for technology, $33,290 for utilities and maintenance, and $29,869 for furniture, totaling $43,881.

 ·  Calmes said that “at this point in time, there are many unknowns out there.” Many state and local funds are in question, and Calmes said the town will have to do things differently next year and in the future.

 ·  Questions on the recommended budget can be e-mailed to Superintendent Calmes.

 · This is the last year for the preschool tuition rates set three years ago. The rates are set every three years, and it currently is set at $.50 per hour. The rates will be raised next year by $.25, then by $.25 for each year afterwards. The rates are “far from being self-sustaining,” according to Calmes.