Schools

2.5% Budget Increase Proposed for Windsor Public Schools

Windsor Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jeffrey Villar presented a budget he said meets requirements of a push for continued academic progress in town.

Windsor Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jeffrey Villar proposed a 2.49-percent increase in education funding Tuesday night — a proposed overall increase of $1.55 million in education spending.

Unlike the district's current budget, which was proposed be former Interim Superintendent Dr. Ernest Perlini with the intent of maintaining the current level of educational services, Villar's proposal was drafted in an effort to supply the necessary resources to aid work to improve academic performance and meet district goals.

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By comparison, Perlini's proposal for the current fiscal year called for a 1-percent overall increase.

Villar's proposal represents a total sum of $63,994,896 in education funding, of which the town would be responsible for just shy of $51 million.

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Other than staff salaries and benefits, which accounds for 75 percent of the overall budget, costs associated with transporation, safety (combined to account for $3,887,900) and special education tutition ($4,132,000) are the most costly expenditures.

Special education tuition is expected to increase by 6.85 percent in fiscal year 2014 — a change of $265,000.

One of the largest savings the district was able to make, Villar said Tuesday, was in health insurance.

The district, Villar said, decided to self-insure health coverage for employees, thereby avoiding an industry-anticipated increase of 10 percent, and incurring a cost increase of just 2 percent instead.

The budget will now go to the finance committee, where each line item will be examined and suggested amendments to expenditures and cuts can be made.

The district is also making an effort to engage parents and citizens in the process of budget construction, scheduling a number of events aimed an informing residents and fielding their input.

The schedule of such events is as follows:

Tuesday, January 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Superintendent’s Presentation of Budget to the Board of Education,
followed by a Public Forum, and a regular Board of Education meeting
In Windsor Town Hall’s Council Chambers

Tuesday, January 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Board of Education Finance Committee review, with Audience to Visitors before and after
In L.P. Wilson Community Center’s Board Room, 601 Matianuck Ave. in Windsor

Saturday, February 2 at 10:00 a.m.
Public Forum on Proposed Budget,
followed by Board of Education Finance Committee review, with Audience to Visitors before and after
In L.P. Wilson Community Center’s Board Room, 601 Matianuck Ave. in Windsor

Tuesday, February 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Board of Education Finance Committee review, with Audience to Visitors before and after
In L.P. Wilson Community Center’s Board Room, 601 Matianuck Ave. in Windsor

Thursday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m.
Board of Education Finance Committee review (if needed), with Audience to Visitors before and after
In L.P. Wilson Community Center’s Board Room, 601 Matianuck Ave. in Windsor

Tuesday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Board of Education adoption of the budget (as part of the regular Board of Education meeting)
(Note special location) In L.P. Wilson Community Center’s Board Room, 601 Matianuck Ave. in Windsor.


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