Norwich — School officials spent much of the hour allotted by the City Council for their department budget hearing explaining what they called challenging demographics in the school system rather than the financial details of the proposed $79.3 million 2017-18 school budget.

Superintendent Abby Dolliver and Curriculum Director Thomas Baird showed improved test scores in English and math standardized tests approaching state averages and above state average for students identified as “high needs.” The school system also concentrated on reducing chronic absenteeism, cutting that by 3.7 percent.

With more than 3,600 students, including 19 percent special education students and 75 percent who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, the school system faces daily challenges to serve financially struggling families of diverse backgrounds.

For example, the school system experiences a transiency rate — or mobility of students moving into and out of the school district or from one city school to another — of nearly 30 percent. Thus far, 473 students were new to their school or to the district this year, while 655 students left the district or switched schools.

Fixed costs, such as high school and special education tuition, insurance and utilities, make up nearly 70 percent of the budget. That means that all cuts would have to come from the remaining 31.8 percent of proposed spending.

“That's our challenge,” Dolliver said.

But when aldermen started asking questions, they turned to the financial details of the budget, questioning a proposed $400,000 increase in workers compensation costs — to replenish the depleted account, officials explained — and the status of employee contract negotiations.

Dolliver said negotiations will begin soon for most of the seven bargaining units that represent the nearly 800 employees. About 50 percent of staff members are funded through grants.

The total proposed $79.37 million budget represents a 3.02 percent increase over this year's budget of $77 million, including special education costs that are partly reimbursed by the state. City Manager John Salomone last week presented various budget scenarios depending on whether Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's proposed drastic changes to municipal aid are approved by the legislature. If Malloy's proposed increases to Norwich grants are approved, Salomone recommended a 3 percent school budget increase. If the state cuts Norwich's aid, he would propose a much lower school budget increase.

Alderwoman Joanne Philbrick said she already is getting emails and comments from residents that “this budget is unsustainable,” and “we have a lot of work to do.”

c.bessette@theday.com