Board Whittles More From The School Budget

By Tanjua Damon

Newtown School Board members made another painful decision Tuesday night after voting unanimously to cut an additional $197,453 to add to the $400,000 that was already cut last week.

The board’s total cuts of $597,543 of the original $43.2 million budget that was presented on January 23 will send an 8 percent increase or $42.6 million in spending for the 2001-2002 budget to the Legislative Council by February 21.

The council had asked the school board to trim its budget proposal even more – to a 7.5 percent increase.

The school board understands it is a complex budget year for the town, but maintains that if any more is cut from the proposed education budget, it will cost the students of Newtown new teachers who will help ease the enrollment crunch the schools are currently facing.

Board vice chairman Vincent Saviano said the board now finds itself in a tough position as it tries to address the dual needs of a new school and more teachers.

 “It’s not an easy thing to give in. If we don’t get their [legislative council] support, this budget can get voted down again,” Mr Saviano said. “It sounds like they want us to cut teachers. They don’t care what we cut. They just see numbers.”

Townspeople attending the school board meeting asked the board to stand its ground and go to the council with a budget they know the school district needs.

 “I still have a real problem with the Legislative Council giving you a budget cap before you’ve had a chance to come up with a budget,” said Joe Hemingway. “I think you have to let them be the bad guys.”

“I think history is a great teacher, folks,” responded Superintendent of Schools John R. Reed. “It’s nice to engage in positive thinking. I would assume you are going to get a 7.5 percent budget proactively or by the council.”

The superintendent observed, “This is a political contest. The reason for the dynamics is we lost last year. I think the best we can hope for is to salvage some of the teachers. I guess it all depends on what the best way is to get cooperation.”

Dr Reed said that the community of Newtown knows that there is going to have to be some kind of tax increase if the planned 5/6 school is built and if the town purchases Fairfield Hills.

“This is a very complicated budget year and a very complicated story that the council needs to tell,” Dr Reed said. “The town left money in for Fairfield Hills last year and took money for the proposed school out.”

Board chairman Elaine McClure hopes that the council will listen to the needs of the school district and come up with a budget that both sides can live with.

“I don’t know if I would rule out some kind of compromise,” Mrs McClure said. “We’re entrusted to educate. That’s why we are here.”

Additional Cuts

The second set of cuts totaled $197,453. Additional part-time instructors were cut including a .5 elementary instrumental teaching position – $31,500; .1IMC teaching position – $4,521; indoor track coach position – $2,831; .43 secretary position – $20,488; .33 educational assistant – $3,411; .66 educational assistant – $7,497; supplies – $6,000; curriculum program development – $11,905; door frame and hardware replacement project at Hawley – $17,117; flooring replacement at the middle school – $8,800; window treatment replacement at Head O’ Meadow – $15,000; stage curtain at Middle Gate – $9,500; non-certified substitutes – $5,000; technical adjustments of coaching and activities salaries – $37,712; clerical salaries – $7-844; educational assistants – $5,235; FICA and Medicare – $1,884; and medical benefits $7,366.

“None of these things are simple. All these things are problematic,” Dr Reed said. “I don’t think this is the year we’re going to get a breakthrough in an increase in your budget.”

Having to make these additional cuts came reluctantly for the board members, who feel they are advocates for the children and responsible for helping provide the best education possible.

“The pain that we feel isn’t felt. Ninety percent of the people in the town don’t feel it,” Mr Saviano said. “We feel it and worry about it. It’s painful, but it can be dealt with. We can live with this. At least we’re protecting classroom teachers.”

Board member Margaret Hull believes these additional cuts will hurt the classroom teacher because of the services that will now not be provided for them. Mrs Hull said the budget being sent to the council with an 8 percent spending increase, although painful, is a responsible one.

“These are things that the teachers need. These will be very painful for them,” Mrs Hull said. “We present a fairly responsible budget. If we don’t stop here I don’t feel it is a responsible budget.”

Sheila Stickles agreed that the board was in a difficult position, but understands the issues before the entire town.

“I’m uncomfortable about taking more money out of the budget,” Mrs Stickles said. “But I will support an eight percent increase reluctantly.”

Catherine Lombard thanked the board from the audience for its work and the difficult decisions it must make.

“I just want to thank you for making a tough choice,” she said. “We are prepared to fight. I think the public has the right to fight for that.”

Mr Hemingway also understood the stand the board felt they had to make.

“Thank you for leaving some of it in,” he said. “If you have gone to the 7.5 percent, I think it would just feed the apathy.”

The school district’s budget is due back to the Legislative Council on February 21.