Stonington school board supports proposed budget with a 2.8 percent increase
Stonington — The Board of Education approved Superintendent of Schools Van Riley’s proposed 2016-17 budget and its 2.88 percent increase Thursday night with two minor modifications.
The proposal, which now goes to the Board of Finance for review, calls for an increase that is slightly larger than the 2 percent guideline the finance board issued to town department heads and the school system.
The finance board has indicated it is willing to listen to justification for larger increases.
The $36.3 million school proposal calls for an overall increase of $1 million. Almost all of that increase is needed to pay for staff raises and health insurance increases.
On Thursday night, the school board agreed to include an additional $80,000 in the budget to hire a board-certified behavior analyst.
That cost will be almost entirely offset by a $76,000 reduction in health insurance costs.
Board members also supported a plan to increase the daily pay for substitute teachers from $80 to $85, for total cost of $12,500.
The board will wait until the finance board makes a decision on the budget to determine where to reallocate the money needed for the increase.
j.wojtas@theday.com
Twitter: @joewojtas
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