Board of Education Adopts Budget

The New Milford Board of Education held its annual budget hearing on Tuesday at the high school and voted to adopt the proposed 2011-12 budget. The presentation was identical to the one given on March 22 to the district's parent-teacher organizations.

Business Administrator Michael Sawicz explained that taxes will increase for borough homeowners based on the assessed value of their home.

Both board members and district administrators expressed frustration over the low turn out for the meeting. There were only about five members of the public in attendance and the majority of the audience was comprised of Board of Education members and district administrators.

Sawicz opened the evening with an introduction which included details on the impact of the loss of nearly $1.5 million in state aid last year.

Superintendent Michael Polizzi spoke to the audience next, outlining the district's goals and how that impacted where money would be spent in the coming year.

Daniele Shanley, director of curriculum and instruction, was attending a professional development seminar and was unable to appear at the hearing. Shanley created a "district program overview" presentation which was shown at the hearing, showcasing the district's plans for the 2011-12 school year at all grade levels.

Sawicz returned to the podium to give a detailed breakdown of how the tax levy was calculated and where the major district expenditures would be for 2011-12.

Sawicz also explained how the tax levy was calculated.

Registered voters will have their opportunity to vote on the budget on April 27 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Last April, borough residents voted down the budget forcing more than $125,000 in cuts for this school year.