$64.7 Million—

School Board

Approves Budget

By Laurie Borst

& John Voket

In a five-to-one vote February 8, the Board of Education passed a $64.7 million spending package for Newtown’s school district to the Board of Finance for consideration and deliberation. The school board trimmed $129,834 from the proposed budget introduced by Superintendent of School Evan Pitkoff, before the final vote.

School board member Paul Mangiafico cast the sole opposing vote, saying the final proposal was still too much for taxpayers to bear.

“Under the current financial circumstances in town, in light of the very large capital requirements the district has proposed, the current inflation rate of 3.3 percent, and after a review of all the specific items in the superintendent’s request, I felt the amount the board approved was not fiscally prudent and was not justified – it’s just too high,” Mr Mangiafico said.

While he has not formally declared his candidacy, Mr Mangiafico has said he is considering the possibility of running for first selectman in November.

On January 30, Dr Pitkoff introduced a proposed budget for $64,917,305. Upon review of the 104-page document, it was discovered that transfers approved by the board last August regarding personnel needs had not been included.

Factoring those adjustments into the current 2006-07 budget led to a reduction of the superintendent’s proposal. The budget total of $64,893,992, a 7.46 percent increase over last year, was the starting point for school board deliberations.

While acknowledging Pupil Personnel Services Director Michael Regan’s good work for the district, Mr Mangiafico said he felt a $92,000 request to cover possible out-of-district placements was too high. The board agreed and reduced that line accordingly.

With more than $100 million in school district capital improvements facing taxpayers, Mr Mangiafico additionally proposed several cuts. He requested removal of a budget for replacement windows in the laundry building at $31,500, and to remove $20,000 for roof work on the maintenance garage. The need for a custodial coordinator budgeted at $79,566 was also earmarked for removal.

Board vice-chair Lisa Schwartz pointed out that budgeting $30,000 for asbestos removal tied to the garage roof, and another $8,500 for gutter replacement on that building, made no sense if the roof replacement was not going to occur. The board concurred and another $38,500 was cut.

Another $1,000 was deducted from a proposed emergency phone chain at Sandy Hook School.

Board member Tom Gissen proposed adding several positions that directly impacted the students. He expressed great concern over class sizes at several levels.

The board agreed, and added two teachers at the middle school for seventh grade, adding $132,732.

When all was said and done, the board approved a $64,764,158 budget for the 2007-08 school year, representing a proposed increase of 7.25 percent over last year. The proposal will be deliberated during a Board of Finance special session February 27.

The final combined school and municipal proposal presented by the finance board goes on to the Legislative Council for final deliberation and action.