'These Are Unprecedented Times for the Country and Schools'

Before the April 8 Region 14 Board of Education public hearing on the budget, the and featured a $1,567,080, or 5.13 percent difference, over the 2012-13 budget of $30,558,951.

Now, after nearly three hours of comments and questions from the public, the Region 14 Board of Education lent its support to a proposed budget of $32,055,781. The newly proposed budget features a 4.9 percent increase over the 2012-13 budget, or a $1,496,830 increase.

The referendum is scheduled for 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 7.

The Importance of Social Workers and Mental Health

Sharon Gomes, a social worker at Woodbury Middle School, said she came to the meeting to speak on behalf of parents and Region 14 staff who don't feel comfortable speaking.

"We're very concerned about the level of mental health support," she said, adding that this year marks the third year social work funds are seeing a decrease and the need for the services is increasing. [See video attached to the article.]

Board member Maryanne Van Aken requested the district's social workers be brought back up to full time. Presently, there is one social worker in each school for four days a week, Superintendent Jody Goeler told Patch. His requested budget called for making one of those social workers full time.

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"If they [the board members] approve it, one school will have one full-time social worker and the other three wouldn't," he said. "Then the issue becomes: 'what school?' The board has to make that decision."

The board instead lent its support to bringing all four social workers up to a full-time level.

"I think it's time we do it," said Van Aken. "It's long overdue."

The Cost of Full Time Social Workers

Bringing the social workers to full time status comes with the price tag of approximately $63,750, according to board member John Chapman. Part of Van Aken's request included the removal of $134,000 from the proposed 2013-14 budget in the way of a special education payment to the state of Connecticut. Instead, the district will pay the state $134,000 in the current fiscal year, Chapman said.

Are School Resource Officers Beneficial?

Four student resource officers are featured in the proposed 2013-14 budget. Former Board of Ed member Scott Baider asked what the community can expect from the SROs on a daily basis and what will be done for safety.

"Good question," someone said from the audience.

Woodbury First Selectman Gerald 'Jerry' Stomski said the SROs will be armed and have the right to enforce the law, if that is necessary. But there's also a community interaction component, he said.

"We want them to interact with the student and the administration and the teachers," Stomski said.

As Region 14 students grow up and become adult citizens in town, he said they will already have interactions with police officers in town and the benefit will be extended beyond school age years.

The cost of one SRO is $55,000 a year, according to John Turk, Region 14's interim director of operations.

The Student Point of View on Technology

Offering an education that gives students a competitive edge was discussed at the hearing. Simon Yocis, a Woodbury Middle School student, told the board that his dream was to go to MIT and he needed a school that would prepare him for that dream. Simon's comment to the board is recorded as a video and is attached to this article. His mother, Katie Yocis, is a teacher at Nonnewaug High School.

'… Mediocre is Unacceptable for Our Kids'

Deb DeSorbo expressed concern over Region 14 students coming up short in the area of technology skills. She said those who went through the school district see that current students aren't getting the same level of education they were receiving 15 years ago.

"I think at some time, less is not working, and that point is here," said DeSorbo.

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Would you support the Region 14 Board of Education budget as presented?

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Editor's Note: The article was edited to reflect the May 7 referendum date.