I am sending out a brief update this week to address a concern that I have been hearing about lately. Basically, the rumor mill runs faster than I do and the latest rumor is that we are reconfiguring the schools next year, it is a done deal, and no input will be taken.

I want to clarify that this is purely rumor and speculation. The talk of reconfiguration was simply one topic in a series of budget discussion items. Feel free to click the link below:

Meeting Documents

and click on “February 1 Meeting”, then go down to “reconfiguration” to read the documents for yourself. This explains everything fully.

You may also wish to look at all of the committee agendas under budget discussions in which we discussed the costs of all non-mandated programs. It is the responsibility of the Board of Education and the administration to carefully examine all aspects of the budget and to make recommendations for a balanced budget. No recommendations have been made for anything at this point. We want to do a parent survey this spring to gather input regarding these non-mandated programs and other ideas relating to class size and reconfiguration prior to making any kinds of decisions.

The bottom line is that taking no action to increase revenues or to decrease expenditures means we will run a deficit budget in the future-2011-2012. Then we will be unable to borrow short-term funds to meet payroll obligations or have to borrow them at a very high cost. The district cannot continue to do this or, at some point, we will be so far behind that we will be in danger of a state takeover. At that point, we lose all local control of contracts, class size, reconfiguration, or anything else related to your child’s education.

Your Board of Education is working diligently on your behalf to look carefully at all options and to do what is needed to get our finances back in the black over time. They are not dismissing any options without giving them a fair look. The Board is committed to gathering parent input prior to making decisions, but ultimately, the decision rests with them as elected officials.

It is my hope that we will be able to work together to keep the values that make Millburn what it is today. Those values have nothing to do with the bricks and mortar of the district; they have to do with the community and staff and the caring environment rich with opportunities for our children.

Please feel free to call or email me if you have further questions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ellen E. Mauer