EH Superintendent Trims Proposed Budget by $35,020

The final 2011-2012 East Haddam Public Schools budget proposal was approved by the Board of Education, with an increase of 1.69 percent over last year's. The final budget stands at $18,374,094.

After hearing concerns at the Feb. 8 budget workshop regarding the superintendent's proposed budget, East Haddam Schools superintendent Dr. Ellen Solek met individually with building and program administrators to "review all budget requests" and make "adjustments where necessary." 

According to Solek's proposal to the board, the finalized budget proposal "reflects the fulfillment of two ongoing commitments to the citizens of East Haddam." The first "recognizes the imperative need for a fiscally responsible approach to running the school district." 

Recognizing "fiscal responsibility," Solek's budget underwent $35,020 in reductions from the original worksheet.

Reductions included cuts to audio visual services, world language equipment and resource media for the library.

East Haddam First Selectman Mark Walter said this was "one of the least stressful budget seasons" for both the Board of Education and the town. Its is due out soon as well.

The second commitment to the citizens of East Haddam is reflected in the mission of the Board of Education to "continue to provide a rigorous instructional program to the students...where people are our greatest resource."

The Board of Education identified five budgetary goals in the budget proposal packet:

1. To provide adequate funding to fully meet all mandates for student achievement and district-wide accountability as defined by No Child Left Behind federal legislation.
2. To maintain current educational programming including full K-12 implementation of state-mandated scientific research-based interventions.
3. To continue to meet all district goals and objectives as stated in the district's strategic plan as well as other significant district plans.
4. To establish an effective budget, through collaboration and communication with all constituents, that balances the needs of East Haddam School District with the need for continued responsibility.
5. To continue to provide all students with adequate and equal access to technology hardware and software in all of our schools and to remain focused on full integration of technology into the district-wide curricula.

The budget is available easthaddamschools.org, under District Information, School Finance and Budget.

Show us some love! Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.