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Stonington School officials on Tuesday night outlined their proposed 2021-22 budget of $38.3 million and its 2.5% increase for the Board of Finance.
Board member Gordon Lord read a letter from school board Chairman Frank Todisco, who was away on business. Todisco called the proposed budget a responsible spending package for taxpayers that provides necessary education services for students.
He pointed out three areas employees raises, health insurance and special education transportation account for much of the $934,000 increase. He concluded by respectfully asking the finance board to send the budget to referendum and let the community make the decision.
Board member Jack Morehouse pointed out the many innovative initiatives in the school system over the past few years that the finance board members might not be aware of. He said state test results continue to improve, outpacing communities such as East Lyme and Waterford, and described th
School board members have agreed to form an advisory council to make recommedations on how to address COVID-related issues in the schools going forward.
He is scheduled to present that plan to the board on March 11. The community has spoken. They want to go back to school, board member Gordon Lord said. We as a board need to make that happen as safe and expeditiously as possible. If we don t try to do it now, when are we going do it? he added.
Riley said he can do this by having a plan in which students maintain 3 feet of distance, rather than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guideline of 6 feet that has been in place since the beginning of the school year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Stonington While 60% of families here want their children to return to more in-person instruction, more than 85% of teachers want to remain in the current hybrid mode for the remainder of the school year.
Those are some of the results of a survey sent to staff and parents to gauge their interest in returning to more in-person instruction amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Board of Education is scheduled Wednesday night to discuss the survey results and Superintendent of Schools Van Riley s recommendation that students in kindergarten and grades 1, 6 and 9 return to four-day a week in-school instruction beginning March 15. The board meets virtually at 7 p.m.