DECEMBER 19, 2012 WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM
Rockwood gives preview of potential budget By CAROL ENRIGHT It was a packed house at the Rockwood Board of Education meeting on Dec. 6. Some 275-300 teachers, plus a couple dozen district patrons, crowded the Crestview Middle School cafeteria. They were there to hear about the proposed budget for the 2013-2014 school year and the inevitable cuts that will be necessary to make up a $5.1 million deficit and fund a myriad of programs. Before presenting the budget proposal, which Board President Janet Strate pointed out was still in draft form, Rockwood’s Chief Financial Officer Tim Rooney framed it in the context of the $22 million in cuts the district has made since 2008. He also explained an existing district policy. The Board has a policy to end the fiscal year with an operating fund balance that is between 18 percent and 22 percent of budgeted operating expenditures. Rooney said the district is anticipating an ending balance for 2012-2013 that is 25.8 percent of budgeted operating expenditures, or $16.2 million above the Board’s 18 percent target balance. He explained that while the district could avoid cuts by simply drawing from these reserves, without a bond issue or tax increase, these reserves would dry up in a couple of years. The buzz in the crowd grew audible as Rooney broached the topic of staff reductions. Rooney said staff cuts would be achieved through attrition and not rehiring teachers on one-year contracts – at least through the first two years. If the district could not achieve enough cuts through attrition, layoffs could be necessary in the 2014-2015 school year. An immediate consequence of these staff cuts would be increased class sizes in a district which, at an average of 19 students per class,
has one of the highest class sizes in the area. The proposed budget showed $257,000 in cuts at the administrative level, but Suzanne Dotta, president of the Rockwood National Education Association teacher’s union, said she saw too many cuts “happening at the building level where kids reside, where kids show up every day.” Reading from a prepared statement, Dotta shared her reaction to the proposed budget: “The cuts recommended by Dr. Borchers tonight are a disservice to the students of Rockwood. This is a great district because of the quality people who work directly with children in our schools every day. Eliminating teaching jobs, raising class sizes, cutting secretaries and custodians to fund programs and protect excessive fund balances are not in the best interest of kids.” Dotta suggested that using the fund balance “has to be a piece of the discussion, at least in the short term.” Board Director Steve Smith received a spontaneous outburst of applause when he expressed support of teachers, particularly those whose one-year contracts would not be renewed under the proposed budget. He said teachers with one-year contracts should be treated no differently than tenured teachers. Several other Board directors expressed concern, however, Board Director Bill Brown promised the crowd that every Board member was taking the job seriously and would “solve this problem.” “We’re going to do it in a way that’s going to minimize the impact on the students, minimize the impact on people – teachers, administrators, taxpayers,” Brown said. Strate said the Board would be discussing each of the proposed cuts over several meetings and asking, “Can we live with it collectively or not?”
tion illustrating how Ellisville’s current severance package is in line with many neighboring communities. He said though Ballwin does, in fact, have a 12-month severance deal for its city administrator, it is because he has been there for 25 years. He also pointed out that Ballwin is three times the size of Ellisville. Pirello reiterated from the last meeting that he felt the 12 months’ severance was commensurate with surrounding communities and that Bookout’s role as city manager is a bigger job than neighboring city administrator positions. Pirello also reminded the public that Bookout would not get severance if he is terminated for being derelict in his duties, or if he simply resigns.
Election 2013 Chesterfield mayoral race
It was standing room only at the Dec. 6 Rockwood Board of Education meeting.
(West Newsmagazine photo)
“The key is that we all understand the consequences of these decisions. They will impact students. They will impact our staff,” Strate said. The Board does not need to approve a final budget until June, but for practical purposes it will be motivated to get a budget in place early next year, so that decisions on hiring and programs can be made for the next school year. The results of the district’s community engagement process, Picture Rockwood, will also impact budget decisions. The two final “pictures” of Rockwood’s future, which can be found on the district’s website, recommend a tax increase and one recommends a bond issue. The final recommendation on which “picture” to adopt will be presented to the Board on Jan. 10. Rockwood videotaped the budget discussion and it is available for the public to view, along with supporting documents, at rockwood.k12.mo.us.
Ellisville City Council fails to pass increased severance By DIANE E. SAMSON The Ellisville City Council failed with a 3-3 vote to pass a bill that would have increased City Manager Kevin Bookout’s severance from the current six months of salary and individual health insurance to an increase of one month for every additional year of service, up to a cap of 12 months. Councilmembers Troy Pieper (District 2), Matt Pirrello (District 1), and Michelle Murray (District 3) voted for the measure while Councilmembers Linda Reel (District 2) and Dawn Anglin (District 1), as well as Mayor Adam Paul voted against the bill. Councilmember Roze Acup (District 3) was absent. Paul was vocal in his opposition of the bill and offered a PowerPoint presenta-
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“The hope is that the city would never have this expense,” said Pirello. “The concern the public is expressing about Ellisville not having enough money is why we aren’t giving him a salary increase.” Murray said, “The fact we’ve stayed in the black shows Kevin has provided good leadership.” And Pieper added, “I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as Kevin does. I really don’t know if those (nay) votes were heartfelt.” Paul said he agrees with those accolades, but added that he believes the motivation behind the bill was the current Council’s apprehension of Paul. “If you think I’m here to clean house, think again,” said Paul. “I’m just here for the city of Ellisville.”
By CAROL ENRIGHT It’s one term and out for Chesterfield Mayor Bruce Geiger. On Dec. 13, Geiger announced that he will be stepping down when his twoyear term expires in April. “When I ran two years ago, I fully expected this would be the beginning of my campaign for a second term as mayor. However, after much agonizing and careful thought, I have decided not to seek re-election as mayor of Chesterfield,” Geiger wrote in a press statement. “… While the mayor often receives credit for the many achievements we have realized these past two years, our success is due primarily to the outstanding efforts of our staff led by City Administrator Mike Herring.” In an interview following his announcement, Geiger recounted an extensive list of accomplishments that have marked his time in office. Highlights include four major road projects, the opening of the Chesterfield Amphitheater and Erberwein Dog Park; and Mercy relocating its world headquarters to Chesterfield. “We accomplished more than I thought we’d be able to in a short period of time. It just seemed like the right time to go and turn it over to somebody else,” Geiger said. But what just might turn out to be the mayor’s biggest legacy is bringing what appears to be two outlet malls to Chesterfield Valley. “I’m convinced that they’re both going now,” said Geiger. “I didn’t think that maybe up to a month and a half ago.” Chesterfield Councilmembers, Bob Nation (Ward 4) and Matt Segal (Ward 1), whose seats are up in April, are both vying for the mayor’s spot – and Geiger has endorsed Segal. “I think Matt would do a good job,” Geiger said. “He has four years on the Council. He’s certainly been an active councilmember, one of the leaders on the Council, and he understands the issues.” Geiger said he’s interested in joining three or four nonprofit boards, including Chesterfield Arts. “Other than that, I’m pretty much thinking retirement. I think my wife is a nervous wreck about having me home,” he said. Geiger’s last piece of official business as mayor will be presiding over the April 17, 2013, City Council meeting, at which time the newly elected mayor will be sworn in.