Norwich super invites community participation
NORWICH – Norwich’s top administrator is encouraging local residents to add their two cents when it comes to developing next year’s school budget in the hopes the input will help the district shave expenses.
On Wednesday, Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan told school board members that he welcomes suggestions from any district resident interested in offering up “constructive ideas” for cutting costs.
“Those small savings will add up over time,” he said, reading from an email he had already received from a district resident who suggested ways the district could save on postage by sending calendars and newsletters home with kids.
The district faces a loss of more than $825,000 in state aid. Preliminary budget figures indicate that if left unchecked, spending would increase by 4.4 percent next year due to contractual obligations, pension contributions and health insurance, thus widening the deficit to a staggering $1.6 million.
“After spirited meetings with principals and directors ... we shaved a half a million off of that budget,” reported Deputy Superintendent Margaret Boice, who tendered her resignation in January. Boice’s last day will be on March 5.
“We have a long way to go,” said O’Sullivan, emphasizing that he and other school leaders aren’t willing to pass such a heavy burden onto taxpayers.
He and the school’s other administrators, faculty and staff have already begun the process of identifying areas where cuts can be made, starting as far away from the classroom as possible. He’s hoping that community members will want to have a say as well.
The superintendent’s strategy for inviting participation has included penning letters to the editor, which appeared in previous editions of The Evening Sun. Through this communication, O’Sullivan said he is trying to make the process as open as possible. He is also hoping it will encourage people to come forward with ideas and suggestions of their own.
“I’m available at anytime to anyone,” he said. “Everything is open for conversation.”
One of the opportunities parents and community members have to share their ideas and concerns is by attending Morning Coffee with the Superintendent. These informal, cafe-style meetings are held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the district board room. According to O’Sullivan, the next Morning Coffee will be held on March 24.
The superintendent said he also plans to conduct similar meetings in more public venues, including at Garf’s Deli and the Norwich YMCA beginning in mid to late March.
Those wishing to contact the superintendent can do so by calling the district office at 334-1600 or visiting the district website, www.norwichcityschooldistrict.com.
On Wednesday, Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan told school board members that he welcomes suggestions from any district resident interested in offering up “constructive ideas” for cutting costs.
“Those small savings will add up over time,” he said, reading from an email he had already received from a district resident who suggested ways the district could save on postage by sending calendars and newsletters home with kids.
The district faces a loss of more than $825,000 in state aid. Preliminary budget figures indicate that if left unchecked, spending would increase by 4.4 percent next year due to contractual obligations, pension contributions and health insurance, thus widening the deficit to a staggering $1.6 million.
“After spirited meetings with principals and directors ... we shaved a half a million off of that budget,” reported Deputy Superintendent Margaret Boice, who tendered her resignation in January. Boice’s last day will be on March 5.
“We have a long way to go,” said O’Sullivan, emphasizing that he and other school leaders aren’t willing to pass such a heavy burden onto taxpayers.
He and the school’s other administrators, faculty and staff have already begun the process of identifying areas where cuts can be made, starting as far away from the classroom as possible. He’s hoping that community members will want to have a say as well.
The superintendent’s strategy for inviting participation has included penning letters to the editor, which appeared in previous editions of The Evening Sun. Through this communication, O’Sullivan said he is trying to make the process as open as possible. He is also hoping it will encourage people to come forward with ideas and suggestions of their own.
“I’m available at anytime to anyone,” he said. “Everything is open for conversation.”
One of the opportunities parents and community members have to share their ideas and concerns is by attending Morning Coffee with the Superintendent. These informal, cafe-style meetings are held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the district board room. According to O’Sullivan, the next Morning Coffee will be held on March 24.
The superintendent said he also plans to conduct similar meetings in more public venues, including at Garf’s Deli and the Norwich YMCA beginning in mid to late March.
Those wishing to contact the superintendent can do so by calling the district office at 334-1600 or visiting the district website, www.norwichcityschooldistrict.com.
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