The Seymour Board of Finance voted 5 – 2 Wednesday to allocate a $500,000 increase for the Seymour school district.
School district officials, after several years of flat funding, had requested a $1.2 million increase.
“This is not a good day for the Seymour schools,” Bruce Baker, a member of the school board, said Thursday.
“‘I’m not sure what it will result in, but it will result in nothing good, if it stays at that level,” Baker said, when asked if the less than requested increase would result in program cuts or layoffs.
A message seeking comment was left with school Superintendent MaryAnne Mascolo.
Press play at the video at top to see video from the meeting. Video was provided by resident Frank Loda. The video will also air Thursday at 8 p.m. on Cable 10, Loda said.
Robert Koskelowski, the former first selectman who is now chairman of the finance board, said the taxpayers cannot afford to fund the amount school officials wanted.
“We just couldn’t, the people couldn’t afford it,” Koskelowski said, indicating he did not believe there would be an adverse impact on the schools.
The vote fell along party lines, with Republicans Peter Jezierny, Bill Paecht, Michelle Walsh, Jay Hatfield and Koskelowski in favor, and Democrats Kristen Harmeling and William Sawicki opposed.
Several residents at the meeting spoke in favor of the education proposal.
Last year the budget was approved on the fourth referendum. Voters had rejected the budget even though it had a zero percent increase.
The school budget now going to voters would be $29.61 million, rather than the $30.2 million requested, Koskelowski said. The current budget is 29.1 million. That would be a 1.7 percent increase.
The voters have the final say, Koskelowski said.
“A $500,000 increase is going to be a tough sell in this economy,” Koskelowski said.
