School Budget Referendum in Durham, Middlefield Today

The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. today in Durham and Middlefield, as voters decide whether to accept the Regional School District 13 proposed budget of $35,011,224 for 2011-2012, an increase of 4.16 percent over the current year's budget.

Following a brief budget presentation by school officials Monday night, residents were given another opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns about the budget proposal during a district meeting at Coginchaug Regional High School.

(You can read the latest budget story from Patch .)

During the meeting, several residents questioned the escalating cost of education in the district.

After pointing out that the district had projected a reduction in overall student enrollment over the next several years, Durham resident Kurt Peterson asked whether the board had considered reducing staff at Central Office in an effort to reduce costs.

"We are looking at how to reduce costs, but it centers more around buildings and how we're structured," board member Kerrie Flanagan responded.

"We have to look at building utilization. With our staffing going down, do we really need to have six buildings? I think there are opportunities to become more cost effective," Flanagan said.

She added that the district's administrative costs "relative to other school districts" remained low, according to figures provided by the state.

"In years past the budget had to go up because enrollment went up. Now we're seeing declining enrollments and we're still seeing ever increasing budget increases and tax increases," said Durham resident Rick Parmelee. 

"I can't support this budget. I would urge the taxpayers not to support this budget. It's excessive."

Teresa Opalacz of Durham said she will be voting "yes" on Tuesday.

Clay Howe, a Durham resident, said he was discouraged by the small turnout for the meeting, but was hopeful that more residents would show up to vote.

"I'm a little sad that there are not more people out here because there are plenty of people in Libya fighting for the democracy that we have here," he said.

"We know what our fellow Americans have done to defend our democracy. We as citizens should do our part."

Eligible voters in Durham can vote at Korn School from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m, while eligible voters in Middlefield can vote at the Middlefield Community Center from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Check back with Patch for regular updates, including the outcome of the referendum on Tuesday.