NORWICH – The Norwich school board adopted a tentative budget Tuesday night which they think will be good news to district taxpayers. Despite the trying budgetary times, the district has kept increases in both overall spending and the local tax levy at a minimum.
“I think we’re pretty pleased with how this turned out,” said Deputy Superintendent Margaret Boice.
According to Boice, the total budget of $37,873,070 represents a .86 percent increase in spending over the current year, and will increase the tax levy 2.72 percent.
“To be able in these times to meet the needs of our district and have the tax levy come in at a 2.72 percent increase,” Boice said, is an accomplishment the district should be proud of.
Making it happen was not easy, of course. Contractual obligations for increases in teacher, staff and administrative salaries as well as rising health insurance premiums had to be balanced by aggressive cuts in supplies and other expenses.
Despite efforts to keep the cuts as far from the classroom as possible, some staffing reductions were necessary, and the district has announced that several positions will be cut. Although most will be vacated through retirements and resignations, two current instructional staff members, one in special education and one in math, may lose their jobs.
“I have never seen a year like the one we’re in,” Boice commented, as she discussed the uncertainty of both state education aid and federal stimulus money. Some of her worries about the revenue side of the budget were eased when she received the latest state aid numbers just hours before the school board meeting.
“To say this is hot off the presses is not an overstatement,” said Boice, referring to the revenue portion of the budget she had already adjusted to reflect the latest aid numbers, which includes $13,591,141 in state foundation aid.
The district is also slated to receive $821,000 in federal stimulus money, which will help balance out the $930,125 loss in aid as a result of the governor’s deficit reduction measures. While this number could fluctuate up or down, she said she doesn’t anticipate any significant change.
“I feel very confident with that number right now,” Boice said.
Board member Joe Stagliano did not share that confidence. He raised concerns about the certainty of the promised federal stimulus. “What happens between now and then (September) if we don’t get the money?” he asked.
“What happens is, we go back in and cut the budget,” board president Bob Patterson responded.
Patterson and other members of the board complimented Boice and her staff on their work in crafting the budget. “This is an excellent piece of work,” Patterson said.
While most district residents will see the full document for the first time at the budget hearing to be held in May, one taxpayer expressed his approval for the low tax levy increase during the public comment portion of last night’s meeting.
“That does put a smile on my face,” said district resident and retired teacher Jim Wysor.
The district’s budget hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12 in the Middle School Choral Room. The budget will be put to vote on May 19.