Date: Fri 26-Mar-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

school-budget-cuts

Full Text:

School Bd Wary Of Budget's Impact

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Facing a budget reduction of nearly $900,000, the Board of Education said it

fears the cut will directly impact students' education. Larger class sizes may

be the result.

Last week, the Legislative Council voted to trim the school's $3.3 million

requested increase by $870,000, a significant figure according to school board

chairman Amy Dent. The proposed increases, for the most part, were for

salaries and fixed costs brought about by the district's enrollment growth.

"I don't think it is possible to absorb this without cutting into our staffing

needs," she said. "Fixed costs are fixed costs. They can't go down anymore."

On Wednesday, Superintendent of School John R. Reed put together a list of

suggested cuts, which include about $300,000 in eliminated staffing:

High School: part-time senior projects teacher, one social studies position,

one media specialist.

Middle School: education assistants, two activity positions, two regular

teaching positions.

Head O' Meadow School: educational assistant.

Middle Gate School: lead teacher.

Sandy Hook School: part-time reading teacher, part-time clerk, educational

assistants.

Hawley School: educational assistants, part-time reading teacher.

Dr Reed has also suggested cutting one custodian, a maintenance position, and

a technology specialist for the proposal.

Another $300,000 in equipment and site improvements were also included on the

cut list.

Clearly there are many areas competing for funding, Dr Reed said.

"We need these things. It will place tremendous pressure on subsequent budgets

if we are forced to cut them out," he explained. "I'm concerned most with the

two teaching positions in the eighth grade that are being cut."

The superintendent also believes it will be harder for Middle Gate School to

recruit a principal due to the lead teacher being dropped.

"There were not many places to look," Dr Reed said. "It was either (Building

Maintenance & Grounds Supervisor) Dominic Posca's budget or new positions. I

understand the challenges this town is facing, but I have a responsibility of

this $870,000 reduction."

Board member Susan Hills believes the council's decision to cut the budget has

placed its passage in peril. "When our parents realize the impact of this

reduction, it is highly doubtful they will support this budget," she said.

Mrs Dent feels the tax rate has to go up a bit more in order to meet the real

needs of the town. As she points out, a house in Newtown must be assessed at

more than a million dollars in order to cover the services that home and the

family inside requires.

PTA President Joe Hemingway said his group is soliciting residents to show up

at next week's public hearings.

"Parents have to get out to encourage the Legislative Council to re-open the

budget because they are going to be devastating cut," he said.

(Ann Marie Cohen also contributed to this story.)