Marblehead set to tackle FY’12 school budget

MARBLEHEAD – The Fiscal 2012 school budget process is scheduled to begin in nine days.In his district benchmark report to the School Committee, Superintendent of Schools Paul Dulac said he plans to report his Fiscal 2012 budget assumptions to the committee at their Nov. 18 meeting.Dulac said he is anticipating reductions in local and state revenue next year, along with the elimination of federal stimulus funds.”Both reductions will be hurtful? We plan a conservative approach to the 2012 budget as has been our practice for the past four years,” he said.As Dulac prepares to retire in June, he will make every effort to involve his successor in the budget process in February and March. The current search process is scheduled to conclude with an appointment on Feb. 11.Meanwhile, Dulac and School Business Manager Brian Salzer will report budget transfers – money moved from one account to another to cover a deficit – to the committee on a regular basis, as long as the transfers are $5,000 or more.Dulac reported one new system-wide program for the current year. To comply with the state law’s Dec. 31 deadline, each Marblehead school is establishing an anti-bullying program. Staff training began last year and intensified since June 30.The Marblehead Village School renovation program is scheduled to end in December, as the Glover School Building Committee finalizes its proposal for a new school for the May Town Meeting.