NORWICH – Budget talks will begin in earnest now that the Norwich City School District’s Board of Education has wrapped-up an 11-part review on the process, which concluded with a brief presentation on the district’s professional development, BOCES services and library, audio-video and instructional technology.

Since September, board members have gained insight into the budget process, thanks to a series of informational presentations by Deputy Superintendent Rob Wightman, covering each and every aspect of the school’s spending plan.

And while no official numbers in regards to the 2012-2013 budget – or any possible increases to the tax levy – are available as of yet, Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan said the district is working hard to keep its financial standing stable and steady looking ahead. The most important thing, he stressed, is providing a “high quality of education” for all students and maintaining instructional integrity while remaining “fiscally responsible.”

According to the superintendent, the 2012-2013 budget will look fairly similar to last year’s, which topped-out at approximately $38 million. He added he expects “no surprises” and “no big changes” moving forward. Last year, taxpayers saw a 1.87 percent tax levy increase, following two straight years of no increases, in part due to the district applying its fund balance to offset a tax jump, said O’Sullivan.