NORTH STONINGTON — Members of the Finance Committee have directed North Stonington Public Schools to reduce its proposed budget by approximately $82,000. This would allow the town to absorb all increases without changing the milling fee.
The Board of Education voted 5-0 this week, with Vice President Dan Smith abstaining, to pass a 5-0 vote on how to reduce the proposed $15.68 million spending plan for the 2024-25 school year by $81,755.31. requested to find it. The cuts will leave the school board with a budget that is 2.84% higher than current spending.
Finance Chairman Michael Anderson said the savings from these cuts will put the town in a position to present a budget next year that maintains the 2023-24 million rate of 28.99.
“I think the school board did a great job with the budget,” Anderson said. “We are in a situation where if we can stay flat with capital growth, if we can stay flat and without factory rates increasing, we will be in a good position.”
The request was submitted Monday after a review of the draft plan, which raised questions about a variety of items, including the inclusion of behavioral health specialists as part of the school's full-time payroll.
Superintendent Troy Hopkins told members that the cost of these services has increased dramatically over the past three years.
In the 2021-22 fiscal year, the district spent about $123,000, which increased to about $193,000 in the 2022-23 fiscal year. He said spending has slowed slightly this year than initially expected, but is still expected to cost about $237,000.
“This is a result of the increased behavioral needs of the student population. This is not unique to North Stonington, but this is happening everywhere,” Hopkins said. “It's a complex equation and there are many factors involved.”
To meet growing needs, districts are looking to hire professionals who can handle many cases in-house. Hopkins said that in addition to his salary, expenses such as health insurance and dental benefits cost about $88,000 a year. The cost of these benefits is estimated to be about 6.75%, but officials say they won't reveal the full amount until a hiring decision is made and the individual decides whether to accept health insurance. He said it was impossible.
“Whether we hire our own or outsource, I think we need to consider that these are services that will be provided to students. So the idea here is that even if there was an additional cost, “It means we're going to be a little more efficient,” said School Board Chair Stephanie Mastroianni. “Hopefully by bringing someone in-house, we'll be able to provide additional services as well.” .
So where will that money come from?
Officials warned the finance commissioner that it would likely have to come from salaries, a decision the school board was asked to make before returning to the finance committee on March 27. .
