Belt-Tightening Budget Proposed for Middlebury And Southbury Schools

MIDDLEBURY, CT — With an eye on keeping the request lean, Region 15 Schools Superintendent Regina Botsford is proposing a $67.4 million budget for the 2017-18 school year, which represents an increase of less than 1 percent, according to Botsford's recent budget presentation to district officials.

The district's current budget is $66.9 million, but enrollment from the district's two communities, Middlebury and Southbury, is expected to decrease next year. In addition, state aid may also dry up as Connecticut grapples with deficits.

The proposed budget sees a healthy decrease in debt spending for next year, and less than a 2 percent increase in salaries.

As a result, the proposed budget comes in just 0.79 percent above the current expenditure, according to officials.

The district will hold budget workshops the next few weeks, and a public hearing is scheduled for April 3. Residents vote on the final budget on May 3.

Click here to read the full 2017-18 school budget proposal.

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