Salem — The Board of Finance approved a $10,698,225 school budget for 2016-17, which represents a half-percent increase over the current spending plan.   

The school board initially proposed a $10,859,710 budget, which would have been a 2 percent increase, but the budget unanimously was rejected by the Board of Finance. 

Motions by the finance board on Thursday to approve a budget with no increase and another with a 1 percent increase also were defeated.

Board of Finance member George Householder questioned the proposed budget presented by Board of Education Chairman Stephen Buck, saying he could not justify an increase for Salem School when enrollment at the K-8 school is projected to decline.

The district sends its high school students to East Lyme and pays tuition to that district.

Householder pointed out that the number of certified teachers, aides and tutors has not decreased at the same rate as the declining enrollment, putting Salem School at an overall student-to-adult ratio of about 9.5 to 1.

He suggested that instead of cutting after-school activities or the late bus, the district should cut staff positions, including at least one teacher, to bring up the student-to-adult ratio.

Several parents voiced concern over cutting one of the first-grade teachers.

They said first grade students, and next year's class especially, need smaller class sizes in order to keep them on track in reading.

Cutting the third teacher would cost the district more when students need special help in the older grades, they said.

Resident Sarah Bernhardson, who has a first grade student and an incoming kindergarten student, said smaller class sizes significantly have helped her older son.

"He hasn't needed nearly as much special education support as he would have needed in a larger first grade class size," she told the board.

She said having a third teacher would put the district's money toward helping all students instead of just her son's special education needs.

The Board of Finance also discussed administrative salaries, which have fluctuated in the last five years due to restructuring.

Householder said Superintendent Joseph Onofrio II is paid more than any other superintendent in districts comparable to Salem.

The school board's original proposed budget for 2016-17 gave Onofrio a salary of $109,322, which included $25,341 for serving as Salem School's director of technology.

This would have been a 1 percent increase over his current salary.

Householder suggested cutting the superintendent's salary and recommended pay freezes for the business manager and executive assistant.

Board of Finance Chairman T.J. Butcher said ultimately the decision of what to cut is up to the school board, which has until March 24 to amend its budget to reflect the cuts made by the finance board. 

The town budget, including the school budget, will go to a public hearing on April 13. Salem's Town Meeting will be held May 4, with a referendum on May 11.

a.hutchinson@theday.com