Ledyard — The increase in the proposed Board of Education spending was the focus of comments by students, parents, teachers and residents Monday during the first public hearing on the 2016-17 budget.

The hearing was preceded by presentations of the $55.4 million budget by the town and school officials. 

The budget would increase about 3 percent, boosting the tax rate by 2.45 mills to 32.86 mills, due to a number of factors, including a revaluation leading to a 3.4 percent decline in the grand list.

Tight revenues and the state's difficult financial position were touchstones in the presentation by Town Council Finance Committee Chairman Fred Allyn III as he presented the general government budget.

He pointed to the number of distressed home sales in Ledyard — estimated to be around 1 in 5 last year — as well as the recent partial closure of Trinseo as indications of the weak level of economic activity, and the need to be "mindful of our expenses."

Declines in the grand list in the recent revaluation mean an automatic increase of 0.6 mills, and overall people who own smaller homes will see their tax bills increase based on the market, he said.

"Moderate homes ... are facing a higher increase because their homes appreciated, while large homes stay the same or decrease," Allyn said.

The expenditures in the budget included the addition of one firefighter that will be splitting time between the Gales Ferry and Ledyard departments, and $700,000 in road restoration work. 

Correspondence read by Town Council Chairwoman Linda Davis included several letters critical of overall proposed increase.

"I do believe this tax increase is more than we can handle reasonably," resident Sharon Pealer said.

The presentation on the school budget by Michael Brawner, Board of Education's Finance Committee chairman, centered around the district's competition with regional magnet schools.

The proposed $31.8 million education budget calls for a 4.26 percent increase, making up a large portion of the overall hike.

It includes four new teachers at the elementary schools to accommodate large class sizes.

Several residents defended the education budget as a key to the town's appeal.

"People are coming here for your education," resident Courtney McCarthy said.

Other increases revolved around special education, which this year increased and forced cuts to professional development and the late buses at the middle and high school.

Brawner pointed to the around 8 percent increase in special education costs as one of many state mandates the board tries to meet.

Brawner pointed to reductions of 29 teachers over the past ten years as another indication of the board's willingness to find cost savings, which also included the move to a high-deductible health plan for teachers, which will save around $700,000 over the next three years.

The Finance Committee and Town Council will both have opportunities to make changes to the budget ahead of the town meeting and referendum, which have been scheduled for May 16 and 17.

n.lynch@theday.com