Date: Fri 12-Feb-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: ANN

Quick Words:

education-budget

Full Text:

School Board Approves $39.3 Million Spending Plan

BY ANN MARIE COHEN

The Board of Education unanimously approved the operating budget proposed by

Superintendent John Reed for 1999-2000. At $35,369,579, the operating budget

represents a 10.41 percent increase over the current budget of $32 million.

The school board also approved a capital projects budget totalling $3,963.557,

bringing the entire school spending package to $39.3 million. Among the

projects scheduled for completion are replacement of the original roof at

Middle Gate School with a cost of $400,000, modification of space at Head

O'Meadow School that will provide two additional kindergarten rooms, and an

update of fire and building codes, costing $778,557. The first phase of

funding for the proposed 5/6 school is listed at $2.8 million.

When first presenting the budget to the public in January, Dr Reed explained

that the largest portion of the budget increase, close to $2 million, is

directly attributable to new teachers' salaries and benefits due to growing

student enrollments.

A majority of the new positions are intended to accommodate existing class

size practices. Dr Reed noted when presenting his budget recommendations last

month, "The guidelines we try to follow are 20 or less in grades K-2, 20-25 in

grades 3-8. Many classes at the high school have 23-26 students."

Along with salary increases, employee benefits are also on the rise. An

increase of close to $600,000 is projected.

The budgets will now head to the Legislative Council for review and approval.

In other business, Robert Kuklis, assistant superintendent of schools,

reported results of the Connecticut Mastery Test given to students in grades

4, 6, and 8 last October. Students were tested on the core subjects of math,

reading and writing.

The results indicate that overall, student performance on the tests improved

in seven areas. Newtown's scores reflect averages that are in the mainstream

or above, he said.

Dr Kuklis will present a more detailed report at the next scheduled board

meeting on March 2. At this time, the Board of Education will also discuss

upgrading the current policy pertaining to cheating at the schools. Although

there is a policy in place, Dr Reed and his teaching staff feel there is a

need for a more unified, definitive standard in dealing with students who are

caught cheating.