Updated: "Bare Bones" Budget Restores Most Programs And Staff

Technical issues within Patch caused the original story about Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting to be published in a garbled manner. Here are the details again.

Ledyard Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Graner proposed a revised budget, which restores funds for programs previously slated to be reduced or eliminiated and is a direct result of feedback the school board heard from residents since the budget was announced Feb. 2.

Parents and residents passionately objected to Graner's inital proposal because it eliminated funding for popular programs like the marine science program called Project Oceanology, and reduced funding for a music program for fifth and sixth grades and tutors for First Grade Academy, third grade math and a remedial reading program.

The school board’s finance committee held a public forum last week and more than 30 residents spoke on behalf of the programs they believed in.  Parents also attended the Board of Education meeting the night before for the same reason.

The initial proposal had $100,162 built in for unforeseen expenses but not anymore.

“They directed me to restore as many top items as I possibly could,” said Graner.

Contract negotiations with the bus company resulted in some savings and funds to the programs that received the strongest support from Ledyard residents were restored with money that would otherwise be absorbed by unforeseen costs.

“There’s no cushion, it’s bare-bones,” said school board member Rebecca Graebner.

Project Oceanology, which costs the district $31,094 is back in the books and so is the $48,688 music program. Graner also restored the $3,865 stipend for a yearbook advisor and $82,500 for the 7 1/2 positions held by tutors teaching First Grade Academy, third grade math and a remedial reading program.

Still, layoffs are expected for two special education teachers, one health teacher and one world language teacher. Graner is also cutting two elementary teaching positions when the teachers retire this year and reducing some teaching positions to half-time. Overall, four people will be laid off but eight salaries will be taken off the books.

This year’s budget is $29,607,964 and the revised proposed 2012-13 budget is also $29,607,964.

“We’re just going to cross our fingers,” said Michelle Hinton, chair of the school finance committee. “We don’t usually have a cushion but this year it just happened that way so we’re going to use it.”

The school board will vote on the budget proposal in a special meeting next Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 in the Ledyard High School library.