The Board of Education has tentatively agreed to a list of cuts necessary to meet the $300,000 reduction to the school budget. The reduction was stipulated by the Board of Finance following the failure of the town budget at the May referendum.
A second referendum is scheduled Tuesday, June 5 with polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. If voters approve the budget, no further reductions will be made. If voters reject the budget, the Board of Finance will make further cuts.
Here are highlights of the budget changes needed to meet the $300,000 reduction:
- Elimination of a proposal to add two numeracy support teachers for the elementary and middle levels. These teachers would have helped both students and teachers by providing remedial assistance for struggling students, collaborating with teachers on brainstorming lesson planning to more effectively teach math concepts and also help provide more challenge for students excelling in math skills. Reduction:$120,758.
- Addition of a .5 administrator for the West Board/West Vine street schools. While a principal is shared by these two buildings, the lack of total-day administrative coverage in each building has meant many strains and challenges. This addition costing $52,000 aims to alleviate these difficulties.
- Elimination of a proposed increase in mental health services at Mystic Middle School. Reduction: $19,350.
- Reduction of allocations for athletic and co-curricular activities at Stonington High School. Reduction: $20,000.
- Elimination of a proposed increase for a world language teacher at SHS. The high school administration has said the impact of this is larger class sizes and the high likelihood some students will not get their first choice of language. Reduction: $19,350.
- Elimination of transportation to out-of-town magnet schools. Paying to transport students to schools such as the new Marine Science Magnet High School in Groton is not mandated. Reduction: $43,456.
- Elimination of a proposed summer academy aimed at engaging at-risk ninth graders entering SHS. Reduction: $5,800.
- Reducing use of the Old Mystic building to storage and meeting space only. Administrators’ offices will be relocated among the town’s schools. Reduction: $6,033.
- Deferral of textbook purchases. Reduction: $8,000.
- Reduction in the hourly rate paid tutors. Reduction: $14,350.
- Partial reduction of a proposal to add technology support for the district at a time when use of and demand for technology in the classroom has exploded. Reduction: $27,250.
