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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
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 The Board of Education on Thursday night decided not to approve the 2021-22 proposed budget because some members felt the 4.8% increase was too much.
Last month, Superintendent of Schools Van Riley proposed a $41.6 million budget with a $3.4 million, or 8.9%, increase from last year s budget to the board.
While the Board of Finance has recommended the school budget increase not exceed 1.5%, Riley has pointed out that the school budget has shown decreases of 0.30% and 1.32% in the past two years. Even with an 8.9% increase, he said, the three-year average increase would be 2.4%, which is the average of what had been approved in years before that and is what is needed to maintain programs.