The Board of Education is attempting to whittle down the proposed 2008-09 budget, as some members resist adding new positions.

Superintendent Susan Swartz’s initial proposed budget is $46.1 million, which is an increase of slightly more than $1.5 million than this year’s budget. Just continuing the existing programs would cost about $1 million more than this year’s budget.

Though no formal votes were taken, board members at Monday’s budget workshop were not interested in increasing secretarial time to year-round in the athletics offi ce at a cost of $9,600, or adding more personnel hours at the central registrar for $8,000.

The board was also lukewarm toward adding an elementary mathematics specialist at a cost of $62,000.

Joseph Kavanaugh, director of curriculum and instruction, said the district does not offer any specialized intervention programs for math. The child’s regular teacher helps students who need more assistance.

Many members expressed concern about adding positions.

The board also was undecided about a plan to add a full-time gifted and talented teacher at a net cost of $12,000. The district currently contracts with BOCES for some of its programs for gifted students.

“This is a program that ain’t busted and I don’t want to fi x it prematurely,” said member Kurt Ahnert.

It did indicate support for hiring another full-time physical education teacher at a cost of $62,000. The district is looking to increase physical education time from 60 minutes to 120 minutes for students in kindergarten through grade three to comply with state mandates.

It also backed adding a social worker to Glendaal Elementary School at a net cost of $10,500. Swartz said the school is seeing a demand for these services. Also supported was spending $2,000 for before school and after school activities such as
Odyssey of the Mind and spelling bee.

The board also needed more time to study a proposal for the district to create an in-house program for autism students at a net cost of $129,500

The Board of Education will continue to meet for the next three Mondays to discuss the budget. Next Monday, it will discuss middle school and high school programs. Next Monday’s meeting is 6:30 p.m. at the middle school.