Norwich – School officials explained the requested $78.6 million 2016-17 budget to the City Council Thursday, stressing that the expenses in the budget driving the increase are costs the board has no control over and cannot be shifted to grant funding.

City Manager John Salomone recommended a $75.48 million school budget, a $1.4 million, 2 percent increase, while the school board request called for a $4.6 million, 6.24 percent increase. The school budget increase includes $3 million for special education and high school tuition and $2 million for health insurance, the two items erasing savings elsewhere in the budget.

Superintendent Abby Dolliver told the council that the district is responsible for 5,600 students, including high school students attending numerous schools throughout the region, and special education students.

Following a detailed presentation, Alderwoman Joanne Philbrick asked what would happen if the school budget didn't get a 6.24 percent increase. Dolliver said the board issued 72 notices of contract nonrenewal to nontenured teachers, but said that would be impossible.

"We can't possibly open our doors without 72 teachers," Dolliver said.

"I don't know if we can absorb a 6.24 percent increase without decimating other departments," Philbrick said.

During the presentation, Dolliver said special education reimbursement by the state has never been fully funded. If Norwich spends $70,000, Norwich would have to spend at least $68,000 per student to reach a federal threshold for some reimbursement, and then would receive $1,600. This year, 17 families with students already enrolled in outside special education programs costing about $100,000 each.

Alderman H. Tucker Braddock said all Norwich leaders should contact state legislators to change the unfunded mandate for special education tuition so that the family's original town of origin pay the bill. Alderman and former state Rep. Peter Nystrom said such a move has been tried and failed.

Dolliver said the school district is trying to reduce the special education bill by creating one program for students aged 18 to 21 to serve 15 students now placed in outside programs. Two to four special education elementary students will be added to the Norwich Hickory School program, and six middle school students will be added to a program run at Kelly Middle School by LEARN, the regional education service.

Showing a graph on high school tuition, Dolliver said “we can't touch that,” meaning all budget cuts are borne by the preschool to eighth-grade programs.

Dolliver reviewed cost-cutting measures being considered, including salary freezes, two districtwide furlough days, cutting the school year from 182 to 180 days, the state minimum, and eliminating two professional development days.

Following the presentation, aldermen questioned several specific expenses in the budget, including transportation costs and whether unions have yet been notified of requested cuts. Dolliver said the request to the union “is on its way,” and the Board of Education would have to approve any concessions.

Is there any opportunity to reach out to the Norwich Free Academy to ask them to help us with our tuition?” Alderwoman Stacey Gould said.

Dolliver said the board will send another letter to NFA to ask if the academy would “work with us.” Referring to a contentious contract negotiation with the academy last year, Dolliver said discussions have been “challenging.” The tuition increase at NFA is 2.5 percent next year, costing about $500,000 in Norwich's budget.

c.bessette@theday.com