EL school budget of $39.9 million gets board's OK

East Lyme — The Board of Education expressed some concern over the impact of the superintendent's proposed fiscal 2010-11 schools budget that recommends staffing reductions, but in the end unanimously approved the $39.9 million spending plan.

The adopted schools budget is a 1.97 percent increase over this year's budget. Originally, Superintendent James Lombardo proposed a $40.5 million schools budget, but after a public hearing in January, board members asked him to come back with proposed reductions.

He reduced his budget by $851,116.

The adopted budget will be presented at a Board of Selectmen public hearing in upcoming weeks and after the annual town meeting will seek approval at an automatic referendum in May.

At last week's Board of Selectmen meeting, First Selectman Paul Formica proposed a fiscal 2010-11 general government budget that is a 1.91 percent increase, or $405,053 over last year's budget. Selectmen will begin reviewing the general government budget today.

"This is a very lean and austere budget," board member Kevin Seery said. "It's right in line with what the town is looking at, a 2 percent increase."

Board Chairman Tim Hagen added: "It does show that we're right at the edge of compromising some quality programs (if the budget is reduced further)."

Increases in the adopted budget are in property services such as maintenance needs, benefits such as health insurance, tuition and instructional improvement, mostly in special education.

A special-education coordinator to be used in all of the grades was added to the budget for $84,000. Lombardo said the position will be offset by stimulus funds and paraprofessional reductions.

As part of the 1.97 percent increase, Lombardo's recommended reductions include salary reductions for non-certified staff, elimination of three professional teaching staff and 10 paraprofessionals and the associated benefits and insurance, technology support for the Board of Education, instructional supplies and materials and athletics/activities.

There is a zero percent increase in salaries for teachers and administrators.

Board members emphasized that they haven't yet adopted a staffing plan for next year. Around May, when enrollment figures are in, they'll have a better idea of the reductions needed in staffing.

No residents spoke in opposition to the proposed budget at the school board meeting.