School, town boards prepare budgets for selectmen

NORTH CANAAN — The selectmen and school board will present their 2010-11 budget proposals to the Board of Finance next week.

The selectmen are set to present on Tuesday, March 23. The school board will present Wednesday, March 24. Both meetings are at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

The selectmen have yet to release information on their proposal.

The school board looked at some revisions during its regular meeting last week, but it is not yet a final proposal. Members will go to the finance board with a work in progress, seeking their opinions during difficult economic times.

The North Canaan Elementary School budget is currently showing a decrease of more than 1 percent. The plan is to go even lower in anticipation of a 9.11-percent increase in the town’s share of the Region One budget. Most of that is due to a large percentage of students attending the high school from North Canaan.

There was good news that health insurance premium increases have dropped significantly. The Region One office continues to look at bids that may mean a further reduction (see story, Page A1). The recent heating system conversion is showing big savings. The new budget calls for 35,000 gallons of heating oil, as opposed to the 42,000 budgeted for this year.

Unresolved staffing issues could have a large impact on the budget.

An early retirement incentive was offered. Of the eight staff members who qualify, only one, kindergarten teacher Diane Cieslowski, accepted. Principal Rosemary Keilty said there is an ongoing discussion with a non-certified staff member who may take an early retirement. But that plan will have to be carefully crafted to result in savings.

Such incentives are offered to replace the highest paid staffers. With the high cost of health insurance premiums, the savings can vary greatly depending on what plan a replacement chooses.

Looking at options for more ways to save, the board is considering eliminating the time out coordinator position. That position pays $17,280 with no benefits. Discussion included an attempt to weigh the variables. The time out room, used for disruptive middle school students, may not seem vital, with very small numbers using it. But the coordinator also works throughout the school as a substitute teacher and lunch and recess monitor.

For the current budget year, which ends June 30, the school board anticipates a $70,000 surplus. The board plans to discuss with finance members using some or all of those funds for badly needed resurfacing of the blacktop on a portion of the primary wing playground.

A public hearing on the budget proposals is scheduled for April 21.The town meeting vote is May 18. Both meetings are at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

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