Superintendent Presents 2012-13 School District Budget to the East Haddam Board of Education

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ellen Solek presented the 2012-13 school district budget to the Board of Education on Tuesday night, January 31^st. Dr. Solek explained that the budget development process is focused on collaboration and fiscal accountability. Beginning in November, Dr. Solek meets with individual building principals and program directors to conduct a line item review of their budget proposals. In addition, the town Boards of Education, Finance and Selectmen meet in November to discuss their collective vision for a fiscally responsible budget that represents the needs of the East Haddam community.

The proposed school district budget for 2012-13 reflects an increase of 1.99%. This increase is due primarily to increases in fixed costs such as employee and service contracts, health insurance, and utilities. Employee salaries and benefits make up about 75% of the total school district budget.

This year’s budget proposal also includes a request to fund a Full Day Kindergarten program in the district. The Board of Education voted to approve this new program at its meeting in October 2011. Dr. Solek explained that because of reductions to midday bus transportation costs, the Full Day Kindergarten program would have minimal impact on the budget.

The Board of Education will meet again on Tuesday February 7^th in the High School cafeteria at 7:00 PM to continue its discussion of the 2012-13 district budget proposal. Additional school district budget meetings will be held in February with the town’s Board of Finance.

Information about the proposed budget can be found at www.easthaddamschools.org or by calling Dr. Ellen Solek at 860-873-5090.