RECAP: Shelton Budget Workshop

The Board of Aldermen talked school funding Thursday at a workshop on the proposed $110.09 million budget.

School officials, parents and teachers packed the meeting room at Shelton city hall at 7:30 p.m. and stayed for more than three hours.

The budget proposal represents a zero-percent tax increase, but has upset several residents because of the school proposal.

The Board of Education originally requested $66.5 million, but Mayor Mark A. Lauretti included only $63.1 million in his budget proposal in late February.

The discussion Thursday centered around ways to save money in education spending, and topics ranged from non-resident students to sports funding.

Highlights include:

  • Democratic Alderman John ​“Jack” Finn suggested the city give $2 million more to the Board of Education
  • Alderman Stanley Kudej asked about ​“double dipping” retirees working for the district. Superintendent Freeman Burr responded by saying the four or five retirees working for the district are saving them money, not costing them money.
  • Burr talked about cost savings already achieved through a retirement incentive program, and renegotiated health insurance costs.
  • Alderman Noreen McGorty asked about what will happen to sports if the budget is approved as it.
  • Board of Aldermen president John Anglace said contractual raises are unfair.

Click play on the box below to read through the full chat.

To read past stories on Shelton’s budget proposal, click here.

The Board of Aldermen is scheduled to adopt a budget plan at 7 p.m. on May 13.

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