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BOE Sends Forward $70 Million Budget Request

Board of Education seeks 3.07-percent annual budget increase.

Following hours of deliberations Tuesday that stretched past midnight at the , the Board of Education voted to send forward a budget request for $70,055,794.

The amount represents a more than 3-percent increase in spending from the prior year.

A large part of the increase was due to the inclusion of full-day kindergarten, which amounted to $457,000 in additional costs, as well as $1.5 million in contracted salary increases for staff.

Except for those costs and a few other adjustments, the budget request carries forward essentially the same services being offered today, according officials.  Below are the exceptions:

  • Reduction of $42,679 as a result of eliminating one of two district transportation coordinators
  • Reduction of $16,797 to account for an error in one of the program areas in pupil personnel services
  • Addition of $25,000 for required special education professional services
  • Addition of $71,477 for staff and program development work and professional educational services to assist in the New England Association of Schools and College re-certification process, curriculum development and other services to help prepare the district meet new Common Core Standards, including in math.
  • Addition of $23,369 to allow for the setup of wireless network at Newtown High School
  • Addition of $59,093 for a middle school guidance counselor

Education board members were divided nearly every time a vote was taken with a few notable exceptions, such as the addition of full-day kindergarten and installation of a wireless network at the high school, both of which were unanimously approved.

The Board of Selectmen . Taken together with the education request, the town's total spending proposal exceeds $108 million, and represents about 2.6-percent more than what was adopted last year.

The proposal now moves to the Board of Finance, which then will issue a recommendation to the Legislative Council. The council's finance and education committees have the next crack at the budget proposals before the full council deliberates. The final say, however, won't come until April at the earliest when Newtown voters have a chance to cast their ballots at the annual referendum.

Editor's note: Check back with Newtown Patch for more information on the details of what was discussed at the meeting.

Carla Kron February 2, 2012 at 03:09 pm
The gala dinner with the Chinese is Wed. Feb 8th in the HS cafetorium at 5:00pm. It is pot-luck so just bring a dish.
Sam Mihailoff February 2, 2012 at 03:17 pm
I think I stated how
get a shovel and hip boots...lots of muck to dig through> They are counting on just the "complaining" without any follow-through NOT THIS TIME
dave T February 2, 2012 at 03:32 pm
I think many of us are too busy working 2 jobs to afford these increases to do anything other than blog..... and neither of these jobs in the private sector afford anywhere near the pay increases proposed in these recent proposals... Why? businesses need to be fiscally responsible...
DAY February 2, 2012 at 04:34 pm
Behold! The Obama Bull Market Continues Unabated. But why does it do so, we wonder?
News Flash: Dateline - Feb. 1, 2012: AMR, the parent of American Airlines, plans to lay off 13,000 people and end its defined pension plans. The company is asking all groups within the airline, including management, to cut 20% from costs. Ask yourself: Is Obama acting like AMR in his managment of the Federal government? Is Malloy acting like AMR in their management of the state budget? Are the BOE and BOS in Newtown, CT acting like AMR in their management of the local education and town budgets? Anyone? Bueller?
Sam Mihailoff February 2, 2012 at 05:02 pm
1- IT ISN’T
2- THEY DIDN’T 3- LEARN THE FACTS 4- FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO PLAY WITH
Sam Mihailoff February 2, 2012 at 05:16 pm
yor a big boy...contact the Primrose Lane Depository
Paul Alexander February 2, 2012 at 05:47 pm
Vote down EVERY budget until these parasites come back with a 0.0 budget increase. If you approve ANY budget increase in this environment then when times get better your gonna get double digit increase requests to make up for the "lean" budget increase years. Hammer them NOW while you have some leverage.
Steven February 2, 2012 at 08:01 pm
Douglas - Story where the state of CT came in and FORCED the schools to pay more.
http://ctmirror.org/story/13769/11-school-districts-told-state-they-must-increase-spending The Law: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/rpt/2011-R-0241.htm
Karen Visca February 2, 2012 at 08:37 pm
Every year our taxes go up, up and up. Salaries are not going up and staying the same. We have children in Newtown schools and we want the best for them and every other child in Newtown. But they need to prioritize and spend money on what is really needed. With our economy the way it is I think 3.07% is to much at this time.
Hoa Nguyen February 2, 2012 at 08:40 pm
Not sure where that 200 fewer students is coming from as I see 153 difference between 2010-11 and 2011-12, which is closer to 2.8% and then estimated to be 50 for next year, although again, not sure if those projections jive with actuals. Also, with enrollment decreasing like that, would you really expect costs to be reduced proportionately? Is it similar to widgets in a factory?
Paul Alexander February 2, 2012 at 09:17 pm
Force the Superintendent to make the cuts to get to 0.0 and then shift the blame for the carnage to where it belongs, grossly overcompensated, unionized school district employees; bloated boondoogle programs and a Superintendent and complicit BOE who allowed that all to happen in the first place. Has this BOE ever heard of a "rainy day"? Well, it's pouring.
Douglas Brennan February 3, 2012 at 12:09 am
Stephen: Thank you for the cite. While I have only skimmed the OBR article it appears that Newtown has declining enrollment and therefore would be able to reduce its spending. I will reread it to make sure that this exception applies. Do you think that it would since the enrollment next year will be less the this year's enrollment?
Douglas Brennan February 3, 2012 at 12:17 am
Bethany: You are reaching a conclusion that is yet to be supported by data in saying that the problem is that the programs from 1st to 3rd grade are not adjusted. It may be the case or it may not be. One very big concern that I have with FD Kindergarten is that we will have 4.5 yr olds and 6 yr. olds in the same classroom. So this means that we have a 33% age spread 1.5 yrs over 4.5 yrs between the oldest and youngest. Fast forward: This is the same (actually worse) then putting 10 yr olds in the same class as 15 year olds. We wouldn't do that would we but we think nothing of it in FD kindergarten.
yoda February 3, 2012 at 12:22 am
Hey,
Sorry Sam I was asked to cook for the Chinese visitors, I think i'll make tacos, can't met you at the fort.
yoda February 3, 2012 at 12:28 am
That hold dept. needs to be revaluated with yearly progress reports, because there customer service is disturbing!
Po Murray February 3, 2012 at 12:30 am
Hoa,
Please ban "yoda" from this site. HIs comment below violates the Newtown Patch Policy. Newtown Patch's policy. • is defamatory, abusive, obscene, profane or offensive; • is threatening, harassing or that promotes racism, bigotry, hatred or physical harm of any kind against any group or individual; • is inaccurate, false or misleading in any way; • contains “masked” profanity (e.g., F@&#) "yoda 7:22 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012 Hey, Sorry Sam I was asked to cook for the Chinese visitors, I think i'll make tacos, can't met you at the fort." This comment is directly related to the East Haven Mayor's "taco" comment and it is offensive, inappropriate and it promotes racism!
Alex Tytler February 3, 2012 at 12:32 am
The whole system needs to be scrapped. Outlaw public sector unions.
yoda February 3, 2012 at 12:37 am
Po,
You are nothing but a trouble maker, you LOST MOVE ON!!
Po Murray February 3, 2012 at 12:56 am
Yoda,
It is time for you to stop hiding! At least Sam was man enough to come out. You are nothihg but a coward hiding behind the veil of anonymity spreading venom. It is time for Hoa to ban you from this site.
David Lee Roth February 3, 2012 at 03:11 am
I may cancel my cable! no need for late night TV anymore now that Po is all fired up. this is better than Seinfeld..."This comment is directly related to the East Haven Mayor's "taco" comment and it is offensive, inappropriate and it promotes racism!" well that may be true but he is still mayor so it cant be that bad
Sam Mihailoff February 3, 2012 at 05:30 am
Po Murray:
You claim the importance of diverse thinking in this new "global world"...You seek the residents of Newtown to embrace other cultures. Do you really think your actions promote this??? Read the below recipe. How do you know, Yoda, a green being of the globe was not serious. You, me, all are capable of making false assumptions and comments that may be off at times. I acknowledged such...You have NEVER...time to do a bit of soul searching. You might have assumed Yoda to have made an untoward statement...The recipe below cancels that thought CHINESE TACOS http://chinese.food.com/recipe/chinese-chicken-lettuce-wraps-or-chinese-tacos-41003
Sam Mihailoff February 3, 2012 at 05:45 am
HOA>>>DON'T YOU DARE DELETE THIS POST...NOTHING VIOLATES ANY POLICY. DO NOT PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT STAYS AND WHAT GOES BEFORE READING CONSTITUTION AND PATCH POLICY
Hoa, Please ban "Po Murray" from this site. Her comment below violates the Newtown Patch Policy. Newtown Patch's policy. • is defamatory, abusive, obscene, profane or offensive; • is threatening, harassing or that promotes bigotry, hatred or physical harm of any kind against any group or individual; • is inaccurate, false or misleading in any way; • contains “masked” profanity (e.g., F@&#) “ “Po Murray 7:56 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012 Yoda, It is time for you to stop hiding! At least Sam was man enough to come out.” You are nothing but a coward hiding behind the veil of racism, ignorance, and poor identification of both gender and sexual preference. Po Murray accused me of being a homosexual..." Sam was man enough to come out." ”She is spreading venom, through cyber bullying. It is time for Hoa to ban Po Murray from this site. I am now very sad.The comment was very hurtful, “SNEAKY”, and blatantly inaccurate. This is however worthy of keeping in an archive to surface at somefuture tdate when Po Murray attempts another political maneuver , at such time the self-centered, self-displayed questionable behavior can be published. I demand a full and complete public apology. Her cyber bullying must end.
yoda February 3, 2012 at 11:23 am
Po,
Did you know we now have a no bulling law, you might what to ask your PR for directions!
Hoa Nguyen February 3, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Sam, the way you quote people has to be accurate and clear to other people what are your words and what are other people's words. So to be clear, this phrase "You are nothing but a coward hiding behind the veil of racism, ignorance, and poor identification of both gender and sexual preference" is your phrase. It was not Po's phrase. The way I read her post, she did not "accuse" (to be clear, your words and not mine) you of being a homosexual. This back and forth is not productive so please stop it.
dave T February 3, 2012 at 12:43 pm
perhaps the BOE should add a line item..."Patch mediator for BOE related threads"... Im sure thats a 6 figure position in their world...
yoda February 3, 2012 at 01:02 pm
LOLOLOLOL
Douglas Brennan February 3, 2012 at 01:30 pm
Dear Steven: Thank you for your comments and attempt to address problems that actually exist. It is my understanding that we can cut the budget by 0.5% or $3,000 per student without invoking the draconian aid cut to the school system. So without incurring the wrath of the "Gods of Hartford" we could reduce the budget next year by $3,000 times 200 fewer students this would save us $600,000 over this years budget. There is also the ability to have the Budget set at its current level and then place spending restraints on the BOE. This is more difficult although not impossible as we could vote a Budget but not allow several million to be spent without an additional vote. I actually favor lobbying the legislature to change this rule as well as the silly rules around busing both of which are attempts by special interests to create a inefficient system for CT at the expense of the Taxpayers.
Swami February 3, 2012 at 01:50 pm
Who needs a FTK when you have the Patch to keep the children amused?
Sammy and Yoda you get a 15 minute time out!!!!!! ps: THIS sounds like a threat to me. Sam Mihailoff 12:45 am on Friday, February 3, 2012 HOA>>>DON'T YOU DARE DELETE THIS POST..
Sam Mihailoff February 3, 2012 at 02:08 pm
Good Morning Mister Sully:
like I said before... 1- learn the facts 2- find someone else to play with
yoda February 3, 2012 at 02:14 pm
Maybe it was a poor choice of words due to the sensitive nature,so I'll change it to hotdogs,seeing the economy is at it's worst and the school system have the nerve to ask the public to feed people whom they invited.
Po, I'm sorry you feel that way about me.

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Thomas Paine June 18, 2013 at 01:47 pm
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Nancy Bocian June 18, 2013 at 04:37 pm
So glad to hear this.
DOR June 19, 2013 at 08:56 am
I'm o n Butterfield. No sightings here. Any specifics as to her location?
Carol Chapman June 19, 2013 at 09:23 am
Norma has been spotted this morning at the intersection of Kenan and Currituck. The red leash isRead More still attached. She was trying to eat a dead squirrel on Currituck. Very skittish, but still in the neighborhood (yay). Please watch for her. My husband and sister-in-law (who first spotted her on Currituck this morning) were unable to get near her. She's in the woods, heading toward Butterfield. Her foster mom is on the scene now. Folks in the neighborhood, please watch for her and call 203-942-4008 if you see her.
Betsy Kraushaar June 17, 2013 at 07:54 am
If you have goodies left that you are interested in donating to our Girl Scout Troop...pleaseRead More contact me. Our troop has been saving/ fundraising for a senior trip to Europe for the past 5 years. Thanks in advance, Betsy
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Hi Betsy! We have tons of children's books left, and would be more than happy to donate them. HowRead More should I get in touch with you to drop them off?
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Lloyd, My email is betsykraushaar@charter.net....I'd love to get some books...Thanks!!!
Every Friday, Rain or Shine, Lone Activist Stands
Elissa Bass June 14, 2013 at 08:44 pm
I do too.
Amy Pare June 16, 2013 at 09:28 am
This is amazing. Where is she standing?