Schools

Educators Ask for More School Funding to Advance District (Updated)

Editor's Note: The Budget approval meeting was changed to May 23 and a budget was approved. More details to follow as they come.

The school district must fill a $841,000 gap, said Mark Holden, chairman of the Shelton Board of Education.

Mayor Mark Lauretti has proposed a $65.4 million education budget for 2013-2014.
Holden suggested several ways to bridge the gap.

Next, District Business Manager Al Cameron noted that the number of teachers has fallen to 390, from 416 in 2009, and the number of paraprofessionals and custodians has fallen as well.

But some costs have increased and are completely out of the district's control, such as health insurance costs.

"In the places where we can manage costs, we have," Cameron said.

The school budget has received small increases over the last several years, but now it needs additional funding to keep staff such as tutors.

"We've got a good, positive momentum. Please help us continue that," he added.

Schools Supt. Freeman Burr said investing in staff in the special education department will help, as well as providing for the needs of mainstream students.

"Our goal is to make our kids internationally competitive," Burr said.

Added school board Vice Chairman Tom Minotti added that Shelton students need to be "educated for the 21st century."

The Board of Alderman meets May 30 in City Hall to approve the budget proposal, after reviewing it.


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