BOE Reduces School Budget $715K, Increase Now 2.29 Percent

The Board of Education has found more savings in a $35.58 million school budget presented to them last month by Superintendent Susan Viccaro.

On Wednesday night, the school board agreed to reduced the proposal by a total of $715,851 and send the $34.87 million budget to a public hearing on April 10.

Several dozen residents filled the library at Strong School for the board's last of four meetings to deliberate the budget, which has been reduced from a proposed net increase of 4.39 percent, to a 2.29 percent increase.

The biggest bulk of additional savings came in the undesignated fund transfer of $175,000 to the budget from the Middlesex Transition Academy, a Wesleyan-based program run by the district that offers additional educational programs for students with disabilities between the ages of 18-21.

Administrators were able to negotiate lower health and dental insurance costs to reduce the budget by another $113,786. $48,000 was cut from the transportation budget, most of which came from the elimination of a school bus.

One of the more controversial reductions — the elimination of a part-time special education teacher ($28,129) at Coginchaug High School — prompted a number of comments from the public.

The position was eliminated at the recommendation of Pupil Personnel Director Amy Emory, who did not attend the meeting but had been asked last week to provide the board with recommendations to reduce the district's special education costs.

"I know that...we have declining numbers, it's obvious in the district. Unfortunately, our numbers are rising in special ed so I can't understand why you would make your cuts there," said Leanne Slawinowski.

Becky Kalinowski of Middlefield said early intervention had helped her son become a successful student in the district despite a learning disability. Kalinowski told board members she'd read the entire budget before making several suggestions in areas she felt could be reduced before eliminating a teacher.

"You're talking about cutting reams of paper versus a child's future," echoed Allison Kelly, who said her daughter suffered from Asperger syndrome. Kelly told the board that despite the disorder her daughter has able to thrive in the district due to early intervention.

Ultimately, the board voted 8-1 to eliminate the position with only board member Joseph Ochterski voting in favor of keeping it.

The board appeared less certain about last week's elimination of a part time science position at Coginchaug High School after hearing from science teacher and department chair Susan Michael.

"These courses help students understand their environment, explore careers and become informed citizens," said Michaels, who also told the board that interest in science classes had grown in recent years.

After receiving assurance from administrators that the science position could be absorbed by the department, the board decided to eliminate the $15,553 position.

Not all of the decisions resulted in reductions to the budget. The board voted unanimously to eliminate the student activity fee for all school clubs — about $5,000 in revenue — while maintaining the fee for athletics.

Board chairman Kerrie Flanagan also took a moment to ask the public in attendance to reach out to their local legislators in an effort restore a $282,000 transportation grant lost under Gov. Malloy's proposed budget. The school district has included links to legislative offices on its website.

The school board will hold a public hearing on the budget at Coginchaug High School on Wednesday, April 10 at 8 p.m.