Weston Schools Seek Budget Hike; Public Forum Set

WESTON, CT — Schools Superintendent William McKersie has proposing an operating budget for the 2020-21 year of $56,021,948 which represents an increase of $2,948,238, or 5.55 percent, over the current spending plan.

The key drivers of the increase are contractual obligations for personnel and essential services; health and dental insurance; and specialized transportation requirements.

Weston Public Schools Fiscal Year 2021 Requested Budget:

Fully 76 percent of the proposed budget goes towards salaries, wages and benefits, which includes a 4.2 percent contractual rise in salaries, and a 13 percent increase in employee benefits.

District consultants Milone and MacBroom have projected that student enrollments will have declined by four percent over the next five years, which McKersie gauges will not make a dent in the personnel needs overe that span.

On the infrastructure side, the district has proposed $1.16 million in upgrades and replacements.

Capital Budget Request FY 21:

• 7th and 8th Grade Student Locker Replacement: $ 110,000
• Replace East House Steam Traps and Heat Controls at Hurlbutt Elementary: $ 200,000
• C-Wing HVAC Rooftop Unit to Replace Unit Ventilators & Corridor Ventilation at High School: $ 515,000
• Replace D Wing Unit Ventilators - would include work to match E wing at High School: $ 115,000
• Replacement of Art Room Cabinets and Fixtures at Middle School: $ 20,563
• Renovation of Pool Locker Rooms and Bathrooms at Middle School: $ 200,000

Total Capital Request: $ 1,160,563

The current proposed plan is online here. The Board of Education will hold a public forum on the schools budget at 7:00 p.m., Jan. 21, in the Weston Middle School library.