Winsted schools out of compliance with MBR

WINSTED — The town is not compliant with the minimum budget requirement (MBR) for school year 2011-12, according to Brian Mahoney, chief financial officer for the state Department of Education.At a budget referendum in late May, voters approved the town’s budget proposed by the Board of Selectmen, which set education funding at $18,600,000 —$1,449,466 below the MBR.The approved budget has led to months of controversy and bickering between the Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen.The bickering evolved into a lawsuit filed in late May by the Board of Education against the town and the Board of Selectmen for creating a budget that funds the school district below the MBR.At a special meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 16, new Superintendent of Schools Tom Danehy shared Mahoney’s letter with the Board of Education.“Based on the information [Danehy] certified on Aug. 12, Winchester is currently in noncompliance by $1,358,149,” Mahoney wrote. “Given the current noncompliance status for 2011-12, and in order for the department to determine its next steps, please indicate by Aug. 26 if you anticipate the town providing the Board of Education with additional funds during this fiscal year.”Mahoney noted that, according to state general statutes, failure to meet the 2011-12 MBR would result in a forfeiture in an amount equal to two times the shortfall, which would be deducted from the state’s 2013-14 Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant.Mahoney calculated that, based on the shortfall amount, the state would reduce the ECS grant by $2,716,298.Copies of the letter were sent to various members of the town government, including Mayor Candy Perez and Town Manager Dale Martin.“The [State Department of Education] sent this letter asking the town if they would provide us with the MBR, and if they’re not, they [the State Department of Education] will take it to the next level and pursue it,” Danehy said. “I am hoping that we prevail with the MBR.”The Board of Education eventually and unanimously passed a motion to set the school year 2011-12 budget to $18,600,000.However, the way the motion was worded, the budget number did not include the pending receipt of the MBR of $19,958,149.The approved motion also authorizes the district to pursue any and all legal remedies in order to get to the MBR.According to Danehy, he has not heard a response to Mahoney’s letter from anyone in the town government.On Wednesday, Mayor Candy Perez scheduled a special Board of Selectmen’s meeting for Monday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall to discuss a response to Mahoney and the State Department of Education. The meeting may include an executive session to discuss strategy and negotiations pending claims and litigation.

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