The New London Board of Education is requesting a $64 million budget with a $2.5 million increase for New London taxpayers. The reasons given are a 1 percent increase in teacher’s pay, an 8 percent increase in health insurance costs, and the addition of 344 students, about half from out of district. At most the 1 percent pay increase and the 8 percent health insurance increase will increase the overall budget by 2 percent. This leaves a 5 percent increase for the 344 new students. 

For the 3,500 students registered in the school System, the cost per student will be about $18,300. The school board does not get anything like that in the way of out-of-district tuition and state grants for magnet school students. 

One of the main selling points for the magnet school concept was a net savings for the taxpayer. It appears that the taxpayer is paying extra to cover the out-of-district students. The board must explain why magnet schools are costing the city more and what future cost looks like as we more fully implement the magnet concept.

The City Council needs to reduce the education budget, $18,000 is a very large investment in student education and New London taxpayers cannot afford increases.

Bill Vogel

New London