POLL: Region 14 Board of Education Looking Into 3.7-Percent Budget Increase

The Region 14 Board of Education met for its third budget workshop on Thursday, March 1, and discussed a possible 3.7-percent increase over last year's budget.

Superintendent Jody Goeler said that initially, the draft budget reflected a 7.7-percent increase over the 2011-12 budget.

"That 7.7-percent increase in the budget is with all the things the district needs, but doesn't necessarily need in one year," he said.

The 2011-12 Budget

At a Tuesday, June 7, 2011 referendum, Region 14 voters approved the budget at $30,246,029. That budget was $522,946 or 1.76-percent higher than the 2010-11 budget of $29,723,082.

Next Meeting

The Board of Education will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 5, at .

At that meeting, Goeler is hoping the board will support the draft 2012-13 budget he will likely propose. A public hearing on the soon-to-be proposed budget is scheduled for Monday, April 2.

Board member Gary Suslavich said he cannot support a proposed budget that features a 3.7-percent increase.

"I still believe we are probably a good two and a quarter too high," he said.

Suslavich said he does not believe a zero percent budget increase is appropriate either but would like to see a two percent budget increase.

Director of Fiscal Services Jim Reese said that in order to achieve a two percent budget increase over last year's budget, another $450,000 would have to be cut.

The Trickle Down Effect

Board member John Chapman detailed his concerns on attempting to reach a two percent budget increase.

"My fear is that if we go to two percent, we're kicking a bigger can down the road and it becomes a problem for the next board and the next board after that," he said.

Any budget that comes before the public has to be realistic, said Goeler.

"You have to be very clear with the community, that you're trying to give them a number they can support but tell them what won't be there," he said.

Psychologists and Social Workers

Suslavich said the draft budget features the addition of one social worker and a school psychologist and wondered if the district will ultimately see savings by not having to use outside services.

"We already have four psychologists in the budget so this would be psychologist number five," said Suslavich.

Goeler said he is aiming toward a goal.

"From a broader perspective, what I want to do with the region over time is reduce the consultation services we currently require," he said.

Suslavich questioned whether adding the social worker and psychologist is a good return on investment. He cited declining enrollment and asked whether both positions must be included in the budget on the same year.

Goeler said Kimberly Culkin, director of special services, will be in attendance at the March 5 meeting and can address Suslavich's concerns then.

Board member Pamela Zmek said she supports the addition of a psychologist and social worker.

"I've seen, at the elementary level, crises that could have turned into safety issues," she said. "Just because we live in two beautiful towns, I don't think we should take for granted that kids have the support they do."

A Changing Landscape

Times are not how they used to be, Goeler said.

"The landscape of interventions is changing dramatically within the state of Connecticut," he said.

Culkin is attempting to reestablish a model that keeps personnel connected to all students, he said.

Assistant Superintendent

Goeler is requesting the inclusion of an assistant superintendent position in the draft 2012-13 budget. He said that when he asked the leadership team to weigh in, the response was favorable.

Update: The cost in the budget for the assistant superintendent position is $173,658.

Tough Economic Times

"Tough economic times" was repeatedly mentioned by the board members during the budget workshop.

Goeler said that this year, all supply and instructional accounts were frozen in October and teachers were told they could not take the instructional classes they thought they would be taking.

Suslavich said that historically, Region 14 froze accounts in October so staff likely expected that to occur.

"Not like this," said Principal Alice Jones.

STAR Preschool Program

The board is seeking additional information on whether additional costs were incurred by moving the STAR preschool program back into the district schools.

Goeler's Goal

The superintendent said he wants to ensure that Region 14 students are well-equipped to handle both school and what they encounter after they graduate.

"No one wants to see a single student look at a question that they can't answer," said Goeler. "And what's what this budget is about."

Follow Woodbury-Middlebury Patch on Facebook and Twitter to follow budget season coverage.