Preston - The superintendent of schools is projecting that the 2010-11 education budget will remain the same as it has since the 2008-09 fiscal year.Jack Welch told Board of Education members Monday night that because of a projected enrollment reduction, particularly at the high school, he expects the current $10.46 million school budget to be sufficient to maintain the district's staffing and programs.

Jack Welch told Board of Education members Monday night that because of a projected enrollment reduction, particularly at the high school, he expects the current $10.46 million school budget to be sufficient to maintain the district's staffing and programs."I feel very comfortable with our current budget and that we will be able to sustain the programs and services we offer," Welch said Tuesday.

"I feel very comfortable with our current budget and that we will be able to sustain the programs and services we offer," Welch said Tuesday.The savings will come from a significant reduction in high school students attending Norwich Free Academy.

The savings will come from a significant reduction in high school students attending Norwich Free Academy.Preston pays NFA tuition for student enrollment in regular education programs based on the previous fiscal year. For example, in the 2010-11 budget, Preston will be paying for the students who attend the school during the 2009-10 school year.

Preston pays NFA tuition for student enrollment in regular education programs based on the previous fiscal year. For example, in the 2010-11 budget, Preston will be paying for the students who attend the school during the 2009-10 school year.For this reason, Preston already knows that there are 18 fewer regular education students and eight fewer special education students attending the school.

For this reason, Preston already knows that there are 18 fewer regular education students and eight fewer special education students attending the school. Welch said even with a modest tuition increase, the Preston budget should still be sound. NFA will release its 2010-11 budget on Tuesday.

Welch said even with a modest tuition increase, the Preston budget should still be sound. NFA will release its 2010-11 budget on Tuesday.The district will also have a reduction in enrollment at the middle school level. For this reason the proposed budget will include the elimination of one teaching position. However, Welch expects at least one retirement at the end of the school year so no one should lose their job because of budget cuts.

The district will also have a reduction in enrollment at the middle school level. For this reason the proposed budget will include the elimination of one teaching position. However, Welch expects at least one retirement at the end of the school year so no one should lose their job because of budget cuts. "Given the state of the state, we're in as good of a position as we can be in," he said.

"Given the state of the state, we're in as good of a position as we can be in," he said.Welch will formally present the school budget in March.

Welch will formally present the school budget in March.