During its final workshop meeting for the 2014-15 budget, the Board of Education passed a budget proposal on Thursday, February 6, with no increase over the previous year.

The board also tabled a second motion that would have submitted a security budget, separate from the school board's 2014-15 budget, onto the Board of Selectman, Board of Finance, and Legislative Council to review. 

Interim Superintendent of Schools John Reed presented his budget on January 23. The superintendent’s  totaled $71,580,034, which reflected a $534,730, or a 0.75 percent, increase over the 2013-14 $71,045,304 budget.proposed operating budget for 2014-15

After Dr Reed explained he believes he can use grant money and move some projects to the current budget to reduce his first 2014-15 budget proposal by $395,249, the school board deliberated other areas where reductions could be made. 

Near the end of the budget discussion Board of Education member David Freedman made a motion to reduce the spending plan by roughly $139,000, which represented the remaining increase over the 2013-14 budget, to be taken out of the 2014-15 budget at Dr Reed's discretion. The motion passed after with a 5 to 2 vote. 

The Board of Education went on to unanimously pass the 2014-15 budget with no increase from the previous spending package.

As Dr Reed explained to the school board, First Selectman Pat Llodra requested the school board pass a security budget separate of the school district's budget. The total security budget, as outlined in a motion put before the board Thursday, includes $2,440,650 for security projects and $540,562 for armed and non-armed security guards, but grants and other sources are expected to bring the balance down to $43,891.

According to Dr Reed aspects of the security budget, which, as described in the motion, included a planned School Safety Officer Program and building-related security costs, have previously been in the Board of Selectman's budget. Dr Reed also said the plan is to have that budget be a joint responsibility between the district and the town in the future. 

The decision to submit the security package onto the other town boards was tabled with the understanding that a meeting will be set to discuss it by Friday, February 14.

A further look at the school board's Thursday, February 6, meeting will be available at www.newtownbee.com on Friday, February 7, and in the February 14 print edition of The Newtown Bee.