Stonington boards to meet on school issues

Stonington - The boards of education, finance and selectmen will hold a joint meeting Wednesday to discuss school issues.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the police station meeting room. A portion of the meeting will be for public comment.

Board of Education Chairwoman Gail MacDonald said the meeting follows one that interim superintendent Paul Smotas had just before he left in October and new superintendent Van Riley took over.

She said that before the 2013-14 budget process begins the school board wants to discuss ideas that Riley has with the other two boards. One issue she expects to be discussed is the need to revive the stalled effort to renovate the town's aging elementary schools.

MacDonald said school officials will outline the new way they plan to develop and present the proposed education budget and get information from town officials about challenges facing the town such as state budget cuts.

"Everyone had a good response to our meeting on October so we want to try and keep the dialogue going between the three boards," she said.