Draft of Aubin's Proposed Budget: $37.6 Million

In a workshop meeting last week, members of the Board of Education got their first look at a draft of the 2012-2103 proposed school budget.

All numbers on that draft budget proposal and in this story are preliminary, and subject to change.

The proposed budget is on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. in the library/media center at Montville High School.

But in light of the fact that the budget meeting on Saturday was canceled, here are some of the preliminary **draft only** budget figures:

Total: $37,627,497, an increase of roughly $994,000.

Superintendent Pamela Aubin pointed out that the school department had to make up for a $610,000 cut in federal education spending, a change it has known was upcoming.

She added that Gov. Dannel Malloy is proposing an education cost-sharing plan that would give Montville $166,239, to help offset the $610,000 cut.

Salaries

Salary increases for teachers are step-level increases only, and 1 percent increases at the top step.

The board is scheduled to vote Tuesday on full-day kindergarten; the draft budget proposal is based on half-day kindergarten, and includes a reduction of one teacher.

The school department is going into negotiations with noncertified staff, and Aubin expects salary increases of 2 percent.

Insurance

Aubin expects to see savings of $129,412 in health insurance costs.

Collaborating on property insurance with the town should bring a $35,715 decrease in that area, and a $26,853 decrease in transportation insurance.

Technology

With financial help from the state, the school department hopes to connect fiber optic cable this year for a cost of $30,000.

"This is critically needed," Aubin said. "It is a new expense."

This year, some students will be taking a verions of the Connecticut Mastery Test online. By the 2014-2015 school year, Aubin said, all assessments will be done on computer, and scored through artificial intelligence.

"We're behind everyone," in this area, said Assistant Superintendent Brian Levesque.

A proposal in the capital budget, Aubin said, asks for wireless technology in all the schols.

"Technology is the way we do things now," Aubin said.

Utilities

Electric costs would be reduced by $76,250 in the draft of the proposed budget, reflecting the retrofittting of lighting, and the use of energy management technology.

Heating costs would be reduced by $147,990, reflecting the retrofitting work that took place this summer to allow Mohegan and Oakdale elementary schools to use gas or oil for heat. Now, Aubin said, only the Charles E. Murphy Elementary School, Palmer Academy and the bus garage do not have access to gas heat.

Nursing

Nursing services would rise $75,323, according to the draft proposal.

Workers' Compensation

Workers' comp costs would fall by $42,232 in the draft proposal, reflecting an increased focus on safety, Aubin said, and a reduction in claims.

Tuition

Tuition for students to attend magnet schools and be placed in other out-of-district programs would rise $392,541, according to the draft of the proposed budget.

"It's a very volatile line item, and it's very little disretion we have," Aubin said. "We do everything we can to provide programs in-house."

The Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m., in the library/media center at Montville High School.

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