Souhegan Cooperative School Board Budget Assumptions

Tis the season......for budgets.  The Souhegan Cooperative School Board has been working alongside the SAU and high school administrators to present an appropriate, fiscally responsible FY15 budget.  As a result of a Budget Study Committee we formed last year, we have done a deep analysis of our costs before developing this year’s budget.  Part of that analysis included explicitly identifying some basic assumptions underlying our budget philosophy.  They are as follows:

1. Continue our personalized learning model by keeping class sizes at approximately 20 students and enabling our students to be known to our teachers by targeting a ratio of 80:1. This ratio represents the number of students a teacher sees in any given trimester.
2. Keep supports in place to maintain Souhegan’s zero dropout rate.  These supports include our guidance and student services staff, SRO officer, 9th and 10th grade team teaching model, drug and alcohol counselor, and advisory program.
3. Maintain a salary structure that attracts the best teaching staff, encourages our staff to earn their increases by continuing their education, and encourages longevity and consistency for our students.
4. Strive for a 95% participation in co-curricular activities, based on research documented benefits.  These benefits include higher academic achievement and educational aspirations, better time management skills, better attendance, reduction of risk factors, improved confidence. leadership and collaboration skills. 
5. Continue to be on the leading edge of 21st Century Learning by: continuing to develop students’ critical thinking, civic mindedness, and global awareness; keeping up to date with technology offerings;  expanding our program of studies by using every teachers’ talent to its fullest; and by partnering with  businesses, community, and educational institutions to offer our students additional real world learning experiences.

To learn more about our budget, and to participate in the process, please attend our Public Hearing on January 15, 2014, 6 pm, in the auditorium at Souhegan High School, and our Deliberative Session on February 1, 2014, 9 am, also in the  Souhegan High School auditorium.  

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Lou Mullens, Chair

Fran Harrow, Vice Chair

Howard Brown, Secretary

Steve Coughlan

Pim Grondstra

Chris Janson