The Board of Education voted at its meeting on Tuesday, June 7, to amend its 2016-17 spending plan to meet the amount passed by voters at referendum on April 26.The full list of changes is available here.

As approved at referendum, the school board's 2016-17 budget is $73,665,065. According to a handout from the school board's meeting, the approved budget required $550,000 in reductions from the board's original spending plan.

Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, said on May 17 that the possible reductions brought before the school board are not supported by him but are necessary to work within the approved budget.

Some of the approved reductions were changes to the spending plan since the school board approved it, but others were added reductions to meet the remaining balance, including $7,988 for middle school music chairs, $3,000 for high school custodial overtime, $10,000 for delaying the start of the academic resource center opening until January at Newtown Middle School, $11,678 for after school activities at elementary schools and $47,500 at Newtown High School that Principal Lorrie Rodrigue told the board represents two world language teachers, who have been teaching an extra class, and saving money on text books.

The school board, Dr Erardi said at this week's meeting, is tasked to send forward a balanced operational plan.

Board of Education member Andrew Clure said he was struggling with additions to the budget - which are also listed and include $43,600 for a substance abuse counselor - when there are reductions.

"I don't think we should be cutting anything to the elementary schools," said Mr Clure, adding the elementary school level is the first time the district can help the students in their academic careers.

After further discussion by board members, Dr Erardi said he was open to other changes the school board would want to make.

"This puzzle was a very delicate balance of trying to preserve what you worked so hard for and the funds that were available for us," said Dr Erardi.

Member Rebekah Harriman-Stites pointed out that a number of incentives and other efforts helped offset the reductions needed to be made.

"These are all significant cuts," Dr Erardi said, adding later that when the school board budget was reduced during the budget process there were only a few places to look to meet those changes.

The district, the superintendent said, was fortunate to find savings in energy efficiencies and have funds approved for donation by the Sandy Hook School Foundation.

Dr Erardi also said if there are any other changes, such as someone deciding to retire unexpectedly at the end of the year, the resulting amount of savings would be reshuffled and brought back to the school board.

The list of adjustments was approved in a 4-1 vote, with Mr Clure voting against the motion.