The Board of Finance trimmed another $25,000 from the Board of Education’s 2011 – 2012 budget Wednesday night, hoping it will pass on the third try with voters at a referendum May 26.
The town side of the budget, $20.7 million, was approved by voters in a referendum Tuesday, but voters rejected the school budget for the second time.
As it stands now, Douglas Thomas, the town’s finance director, said if the education budget passes, next year an owner of a home assessed at $200,000 will pay an additional $168 taxes.
The mill rate would be 27.62.
The education budget to be presented to voters May 26 now totals $29.7 million. That is $677,000 more than the school budget currently in place.
The finance board vote Wednesday did not come quickly — or easily.
Democrat Kristen Harmeling wanted to put the school budget to voters as is. Republican Robert Koskelowski was in favor of reducing the budget request by $90,312.
First Selectman Paul Roy also suggested reducing the budget request by $90,000. He said the school board could reduce its budget by asking for less money for legal expenses. In addition, Roy said a number of teachers will be retiring, which will also save money for the district.
Click the video to hear Roy’s suggestion and the reply from Superintendent MaryAnne Mascolo.
The new amount for the schools represents an increase of $677,000 for the school district, compared to the $702,000 more that voters rejected Tuesday.
Parents who attended the Board of Finance session pushed for no more reductions.
“The board of education can’t afford to continue to be cut year after year,” said parent Ingrid Conlan.
