East Lyme - After lengthy discussion and an impasse, the Board of Education reached a compromise and voted 6-2 on Monday to approve a $44,483,080 budget for 2015-16, a 3.95 percent increase over the current budget.

The spending plan, which the school board will forward to the Board of Finance, trims down the superintendent's proposed budget of $44,802,787, or 4.7 percent more than this year.

On Monday, some Board of Education members asserted that continued cuts to the budget could lower the district's educational quality, while others countered that the district needs to keep in mind the town's overall affordability for residents.

Superintendent of Schools James Lombardo's proposed budget represented increases in salaries and benefits, two new reading teacher positions, funding for a middle school homework club and several advisers for theater and special education programs. The proposal also included new positions for state-mandated evaluations of teachers and administrators: a data manager, an elementary assistant principal and a "teacher leader" at the middle school.

At the board's request, Lombardo presented on Monday a list of potential cuts from his proposal. A 3.7 percent budget increase, rather than a 4.7 percent one, would eliminate three teaching positions - which Lombardo said he believes can be achieved through attrition - and five paraprofessional positions in the proposed budget. It would also reduce $15,000 in funding for bus monitors and in areas, including magnet school tuition and "breakage," such as when teachers retire and new ones are hired at lower salaries.

In addition to the proposed cuts under a 3.7 percent increase, a 3.5 percent increase also would change the proposed assistant principal position to a "teacher leader" position, as well as reduce some funding for equipment and technology. The 3.1 percent increase also would eliminate a proposed new secretary position at the high school, as well as reduce funding for about a dozen items, including certified substitutes.

At a previous meeting, Lombardo had said a 3.9 percent increase could be achieved by reducing 3 teaching positions and 4 paraprofessional positions, as well as through breakage, according to meeting minutes.

The board's deliberations covered topics, from tax increasesto pressures under state education mandates.

Jill Carini said the school district needs to keep pace with other districts, asserting that Waterford pays its teachers more than East Lyme. She said "the bleeding" of the education budget over the past several years needs to end.

"Our school system is suffering with all the budgets cut to the bone," said Carini.

Board member Jaime Barr Shelburn said she was concerned that teacher and paraprofessional positions are frequently at the top of the list of proposed budget cuts. But she said, overall, some cuts need to be made and added that the 4.7 percent increase would be higher than what many families in town could afford.

Candice Carlson also referenced an opinion piece on the budget in "The Viking Saga," the student newspaper.

"The reason we bring this to attention is because the budget is simply not meeting the needs of the school system," begins the piece, titled "The Budget: Snipping Away at East Lyme's Edge," and written by students Vibhav Prakasam, Kyle Ewald, August Pimentel and "The Viking Saga" staff.

Barbara Senges said the board has to take into account public comment. At the beginning of the meeting, several residents expressed their support for the 4.7 percent increase. She added that she doesn't understand why the board should cut a budget that reflects the district's needs, when another elected body - the Board of Finance - can cut if needed later.

But Robert Kupis said most people he hears from don't support a full 4.7 percent increase.

"The majority of people do not believe everything that is being asked for is needed," Pamela Rowe added in agreement. "It comes down to a need and want."

The first motion for a 4.7 percent increase failed, with four Democrats in favor and four Republicans opposed. A motion for a 3.2 percent hike also failed, with the supporting and opposing parties flipped. Subsequent proposals for increases of 4.2, 3.99, 3.5, and 3.7 percent received only one vote each. 

Following a break in which board members met in small groups, a motion for 3.9 percent failed with a 4 to 4 vote, but not strictly down party lines.

The board ultimately voted in favor of a 3.95 increase, with Joseph Arcarese and Jill Carini casting the two opposing votes.

Chairman Tim Hagen and member Marlene Nickerson were absent on Monday, but their comments were read aloud.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich