Public Hearing on Town Budget at Enfield High School Wednesday

Community members will have a chance to voice their opinion on the town's proposed budget for 2013-14 at a public hearing Wednesday night.

The hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Enfield High School auditorium.

Town Manager Matt Coppler will outline his budget request of $116.4 million, a 1.8 percent increase from the 2012-13 total of $114.2 million.

Major increases to the proposed budget include an appropriation of more than $610,000 for the new school security program, a 19 percent increase in debt services to over $522,000, and a $313,000 increase in pension costs.

The school board budget proposal of $64.2 million will be outlined by Board of Education Chairman Tim Neville.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jeffrey Schumann had submitted a proposed budget of $65.6 million to the school board for 2013-14, but Coppler trimmed that number in his submission to the Town Council.

School officials say the ramifications of that funding shortage are enormous. The planned implementation of full-day kindergarten will likely be shelved, and 30 teachers and other staff members are facing layoffs.

The teacher layoffs would include 14 at the elementary level, 11 in the high schools and five at John F. Kennedy Middle School. Three paraprofessionals, two nurses and a clerical position would also be eliminated.

The Town Council has the final decision on all appropriations. By charter, the council must approve a final budget for the next fiscal year by May 18, 2013.