School Board Returns $44,346 To Town

By Larissa Lytwyn

Despite trimming their budget requests by $1.2 million and being forced to add an additional $65,000 to allow the newly four- to three-tier busing system to function, the school board’s 2003-04 budget ended in the black with a positive balance of $26,809.

At the school board’s August 17 meeting, Business Director Ron Bienkowski said that an additional $12,814 was accrued because the $35,000 budgeted for the partial replacement of Hawley’s auditorium roof cost significantly less.

In addition, an extra $4,723 was drawn from liquidated encumbrances from the 2002-03 year.

All of the money, totaling approximately $44,346, will be returned to the town.

“I am also pleased to report that we completed all our scheduled building and site improvement projects during the year,” said Mr Bienkowski. “We also accomplished a number of an additional critical projects based on favorable bids and project alternatives,” he noted.

Projects accomplished this year included the $15,021 partial floor replacement of four Sandy Hook school classrooms, $20,337 floor replacement in 14 Newtown Middle School rooms, the $2,758 replacement of two oil burner units at Head O’ Meadow, and the $21,193 replacement of doors, frames, and locks at Newtown High School.

On a systemwide level, $39,877 was spent following the oil spill and subsequent cleanup of Fairfield Hills’ Canaan House last December.

Energy upgrades and structural improvements cost $11,453. About $10,000 was saved in central office modifications when students in the alternative high school were relocated to Newtown Middle School for the remainder of the school year and office staff members were moved to other sections of Canaan House.

The relocation of the devastated technology department, however, cost $10,211 to repair and relocate.

In addition, $3,041 was spent in asbestos cleanup, fiber optic cabling was instituted for $6,021, and the fire alarm system was upgraded at a cost of $9,150.

In addressing the school board during the August 17 meeting, Mr Bienkowski reminded board members that the numbers were still unaudited and subject to some modification.

Nevertheless, Chairman Elaine McClure said she was happy the district’s multiple projects were accomplished on time, several under budget.

“I’m glad these projects are done,” she said, “and we can continue to move forward.”