NORWICH – Throughout an hour-long discussion Tuesday, members of the Norwich City School District Board of Education entertained the idea of offering taxpayers a zero percent levy increase.
The proposed tax levy currently being considered is 1.87 percent. Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan said the amount was “admirable in this day and age.” However, he went on to explain what programming or services would have to be cut or scaled down in order to bring taxpayers a zero percent increase.
O’Sullivan pointed out that some of the revenues suggested in the budgeting formula weren’t exact because state aid amounts have yet to be set.
During discussion, board members went back and forth about eliminating items or offering taxpayers the proposed increase.
There were six modified teams added last year that led to a $23,000 budget increase for coach salaries alone, not counting equipment and uniforms. “We can’t offer the sports and not supply the uniforms,” O’Sullivan said. “We would have to reduce (the number of) teams.”
Other items on the chopping block could be mock trial, the fall play, a mathematics position, supplies and equipment and staff development. If these were all eliminated or scaled down, O’Sullivan said approximately $100,000 would be saved.
Class sizes, student needs and student body population all play a factor in deciding academic structure. According to O’Sullivan, the math program may be a target area for cutting back as next fall’s incoming class sizes are smaller.
“I, for one, am not in favor of any of the cuts,” said Board Vice President Clyde Birch. “As for sports, in this day and age of health and wellness, I think playing sports is important. It also builds character,” he said. “And not everyone is an athlete – having a fall play would be good.”
Board member William Winans echoed Birch’s position, saying he was not in favor of the cuts and getting to a zero percent tax levy may not be the way to go. “Of course it would be nice, but it is not feasible in today’s society.”
Board President Robert Patterson proposed to even out expenditures by taking “a blended approach” and eliminating only new programs and figuring in money from the district’s fund balance.
Winans said he was opposed to taking money from the fund balance due to problems he has seen in other districts where a higher percentage had to be imposed later on. “I have seen it before,” he said.
District Deputy Superintendent Margaret Boice said that trying to reach a zero percent increase next year “could be problematic.”
Following the discussion, O’Sullivan said he felt confident he could bring back another budget in a week that would offer a near zero percent increase without having to cut any student programming.
“I may not be able to get it to zero, but I will get close,” he said.
The board is scheduled to adopt the budget April 21.