By Don Gould

Andover School Board

The 2011-2012 Andover school expenditures leave $164,686.66 to be returned to the Town for the reduction of property taxes. This “fund balance” is made possible by two major, unique events and many other less substantial cost saving efforts of the community of staff, teachers, SAU 46 staff, and volunteers.

The Andover Middle School graduating class of 17 was the smallest of the 21st century, thus reducing Merrimack Valley High School tuition by $90,000.

The past winter was also the mildest in many years. This resulted in substantial reduction of fuel oil use and very nearly eliminated expenditures for snow removal. This is also the second year in which electricity use has been reduced through action taken three years ago to improve lighting and reduce power consumption.

Many of the less substantial savings were accomplished during one of the busiest summers of school building and technology upgrading. Floor coverings in the middle school were replaced with vinyl composite tile, a security entrance installed, the roof edge of the middle school repaired to eliminate leaks, the front entry and rear of the middle school painted, the computer server replaced, and iPads obtained that will assist implementation of advanced teaching curriculum.

An in-depth analysis of the 2011-2012 fiscal year will take place at a future School Board meeting, as preparation begins of the 2013-2014 budget for presentation to the voting residents at the School District Meeting in March.

Please join us at regularly scheduled School Board meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM at AE/MS for a better understanding of the budget development process and to provide valued public input. We would especially like to know how much snow and cold weather to plan for in the winter of 2013-2014.