Public Defends Education Budget Proposal
February 5, 2010 by Josh Morgan
Tonight, the Board of Education is prepared to take action on Superintendent of Schools Dr. Greg Florio's budget recommendation but, last week, members of the public let the Board know exactly how they felt about education spending.
The Board held a public hearing on Jan. 28 to hear thoughts about the $61.7 million proposed budget from residents. Most of the speakers encouraged the Board not to touch Florio's budget and continue to support the district. Some feared cuts would diminish the quality of education in Cheshire, while others felt removing programs, such as music, would be damaging to their children's growth.
“The quality of the schools in Cheshire is why we moved here. We were willing to pay more to live in Cheshire because of the schools,” said Tom Scarice. “We need to equip our students for global competition. Please don't cut out student-teacher interactions.”
Florio presented the $61.7 million budget, a 3.86 increase from last year, to the Board last month. Scarice said there was an unwritten contract, between the Board and Cheshire residents, to provide the best education possible, and he hoped that the contract would not be violated, even in a tough budget year. Florio proposed a $2.3 million spending increase for this year, the bulk of which was made up of salaries and employee benefits. A student in the audience asked about negotiating new benefits packages, and lowering insurance premiums, and Florio said they are constantly meeting with their benefits consultant in an effort to obtain the best pricing for the district.
Resident Mary Afeltra was concerned that music programs would be cut out of the budget in an effort to save money. She said that if music was cut, students, like her daughter, wouldn't have a creative outlet, and believed music education was a fundamental part of schooling.
“I know music plays an integral part in my daughter's life,” Afeltra said. “It's been a phenomenal experience for her, and I know how important music is for the students. If it were cut, it'd be detrimental to the students.”
The BOE plans to adopt a budget tonight, but the final number won't be known until the beginning of April. Once the Education budget is adopted, it is passed along to the Town Manager.
The Town Council will dissect the budget and the governing body could choose to reduce the education request further. It is then up to Florio and the Board of Education to make the district work, within the funding that is given to them. It is at that time when cuts, and potential layoffs, would be discussed.
“Right now, there are no specific changes because we don't know what the number will be,” explained Finance Committee Chairman Pete Massey. “After we get it back from the Town Council, we'll take a long, hard look, and see what we can do.”
Brent Vernon said the arts, especially music, help influence a students' life, no matter what career they choose later in life. He said the arts are a part of education and provide a great outlet for kids.
“I know you have yet to make cuts, but this shouldn't even be considered,” he told the Board. “The Arts is a fundamental piece of education.”
A resident asked if the district had considered smaller cost saving measures that, if added up, could potentially save teachers' jobs. He questioned the parent handbook, and asked if it could be online rather than sent to every parent, and if temperatures could be lowered a few degrees in each classroom to save on heating costs. Florio assured him that he would “continue to look at all cost saving measures” in the district and he would continue to try to make cuts that are “far away from program” changes.
Former BOE member Bob Behrer, who proposed a $1 million cut to the budget last year, said this year was not to the time to reduce education funding.
“You should adopt Dr. Florio's budget as is,” Behrer said.
Board of Education Chairman Gerry Brittingham assured the public who packed Dodd Middle School last week that the seven members of the BOE would “do our best” to provide the students of Cheshire the best education possible. He said no program or aspect of the budget is weighted more heavily, or is more important, than any other part and, when reviewing the budget after the final dollar amount is set by the Town Council, he said they would not be making “haphazard cuts.”
“Whatever we do, it will be well thought out and done carefully and it will be done only because it has to be,” Brittingham said. “Everyone on the Board cares about the school system and no one takes this task lightly. We will try to provide the best education we can, not because we have to, but because we want to.”
The Board of Education meets tonight, Feb. 4, at 7:30 in the Town Hall to adopt its budget.