SEYMOUR – Seymour Public Schools could see a $1.9 million increase after the town’s board of finance tweaked the budget following a public hearing Thursday.
The finance board had already approved allocating an additional $1.3 million increase to run the schools next year, a 3.6 percent increase.
After hearing some 50 people advocate for more money, the finance board voted to increase the allocation by $600,000, bringing the total education increase to $1.9 million – a 5.3 percent budget-to-budget increase.
Voters will have the ultimate say on whether they agree with the finance board’s actions at a town-wide referendum. It is scheduled for 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday April 28, at the Seymour Community Center, 20 Pine St.
Superintendent of Schools Susan Compton was moved to tears after the finance board’s change of heart.
“They put children first,” Compton said, her voice shaking.
The board of finance also voted to give another $10,000 to the town’s events committee, whose chairman worried that without the additional money the town would have to cancel the annual Christmas Parade. Click this link to learn more.
The combined town and school budget is now at $62,374,562. That would raise the current mill rate of 34.71 mills to 35.59 mills. That translates to an increase of about $132 in taxes next year for a homeowner with a house assessed at $150,000.
Of the many people who spoke during Thursday’s budget hearing, all spoke in favor of giving the school board an increase of at least 5.3 percent.
“This is a no-frills budget,” said resident Kristine Bourret, who teaches in another school district. “If you don’t fully fund this budget, it’s certainly going to be a detriment to our students. I’m not looking forward to my taxes going up, but I will pay them if you fully fund education.”
Another resident, Lauren Scofield, said she, too, would pay more in taxes if the school budget was funded appropriately.
“The students need this budget, go back to the 5.3 percent increase and let the people vote,” she said. “I will pay what it takes to not take away from our students.”
Finance board Chairman Bill Sawicki said the budget is now in the hands of voters.
“We put in the work and did what we believe was best for the town, so now let’s throw the final decision to the voters,” Sawicki said.
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