Marblehead monitoring school funds

MARBLEHEAD – Superintendent of Schools Paul Dulac and School Business Manager Jonathan Goldfield are keeping a close watch on the $27.4 million Fiscal 2010 school budget, to make sure it funds the important changes Dulac is spearheading in the schools.For example, Dulac wants to see teacher leaders named in kindergarten-Grade 6. Grades 7-12 already have teacher leaders – teachers who take a leadership role in the process of education.Goldfield noted that the schools have been spending money on professional development this summer, preparing teachers for leadership. Maintenance is another priority area.This year, Grade 5 students at the Marblehead Village School will study a foreign language and next year Dulac is scheduled to extend that program downward to Grade 4.Pinpoint Math, a supplementary math program for students at the high end and low end of the scale, will begin this year in Grade 5 and Dulac wants to hire a computer technician as the first step to revamping and strengthening classroom and school technology.On the negative side, administrators are working hard to gird town finances against fiscal setbacks.Dulac told the School Committee members at Tuesday’s retreat that he is keeping an eye on possible further cutbacks in state aid. Like Town Administrator Tony Sasso, Dulac kept anticipated state aid receipts at a low level in the Fiscal 2010 budget, below state estimates.He reminded the committee that only 18 percent of the budget, about $4.9 million, is spent on supplies and materials. If Dulac orders a budget freeze, supplies and materials is the first area to be frozen, followed by additional hiring.