Amity Budget Passes

After what is being called a referendum with record-low voter turnout, the Amity Regional School District's budget plan for 2011-2012 was passed tonight. The vote was 870 in favor, 542 against, the spending plan, which carries a 1.52% increase over this current school year.

Increase drivers included a $428,000 bump in medical insurance, $770,000 in contracted salaries ($638,000 in contractual teacher salaries), and $178,000 in special education tuition. While there are contract negotiations next year, the Amity Administrators Group (union covering BOW administrators) agreed to no increase.

New purchases include:

• One Biology Teacher at the high school
• One Building Maintainer to begin in January
• Expansion of Naviance to the 7^th graders
• Redesign of Amityregion5.org to a searchable user-friendly site
• Restore membership to CABE (Connecticut Associations of Boards of Education)
• Replace art tables and risers at Amity Middle School-Orange

The votes:

125

542