Shelton BOE Approves Budget With Nominal Increase

The recently approved a $64.3 million budget for the 2012-13 school year, which carries an increase of just 1 percent.

The board, during a meeting last week, voted in favor of the budget, which represents a $636,129 increase over the current budget. The proposal now heads to Mayor Mark A. Lauretti for review.

The initial budget request submitted by Superintendent of Schools Freeman Burr carried a 1.55 percent increase, but Burr said he was asked by the board to further trim back the amount.

"I was asked by the BOE to go back and trim some more from the 1.55 percent," Burr said. "In the end, the 1 percent was reflected of an estimated reduction of our health benefit costs from 8-6 percent renewal rate"

Burr added that the district stands to save an additional $250,000 from eight anticipated staff retirements.

"Obviously, if we get less it will be a challenge, and more would be a benefit based on the projected salaries of replacement teachers," Burr said.

Burr said student enrollment at the elementary level is down about 120 students, which attributes to five teachers. However, Burr said the district will "reallocate" funds from those positions to "restore positions from the massive layoffs" that occurred two years ago.

Burr said even by reallocating those few positions, the Shelton school system is still down 32 certified positions district-wide.

There was also some discussion about being able to eliminate the "pay to participate" program next year where students who play sports or do other extra-curricular activities are required to pay fees to take part. However, Burr said under the proposed 1 percent budget increase for next year, he would be able to reduce pay to play costs by about $80,000, but would not be able to eliminate the program altogether.

"It would be reduced approximately 30 percent more lowering it to about 45 percent of what it was initially," Burr said. "For pay to participate to go away, we would need an additional $ $170,000-$200,000, or about 3 tenths of 1 percent increase."

Burr said while he believes the overall budget for 2012-13 is responsible, given the continued  tough, economic times, it’s far from ideal.

"It is a responsible budget request in this economy, but does not address all of our district needs to provide the best education possible to all of our students," Burr said.

Board Chairman Win Oppel said the 1 percent increase will be used to add a guidance position at , cover the increased costs for both the teachers contract and transportation contract, as well as fund a position for the Talented and Gifted program and an additional media specialist.