Approved Budget

by Lynn K. McMullin

On Monday, May 11th, at the Town Budget Meeting the town voters passed the proposed town budget; 106 voted in support, 13 opposed. The mill rate was set at 25.64

The school budget passed with a 1.19% increase, as follows: (decreases in the budget are in red and in parentheses.)

Salaries $273,055
Employee Benefits $227,917
Out-of-District Tuition $107,908
Other Operational ($ 33,494)
Dues and Fees $ 2,133
Capital Improvement Projects $ 70,262
Equipment and Furniture ($ 24,750)Heat Energy ($ 61,203)Supplies ($ 10,094)Technology ($ 93,946)
Board of Finance additional Reduction to Budget ($195,000)
2008-2009 Approved Budget $22,021,023
Total Operating Budget Increase 1.19% $ 262,788

Total Budget $22,283,811

This proposed budget:
Ø Reflects an additional decrease of $195,000 as directed by the Board of Finance. Specific line-item reductions will be determined by the Board of Education.
Ø Reflects services to 1,811 students, an increase of 46 students from the district’s actual enrollment in 2008-2009.
Ø Maintains appropriate class sizes in Grades K-8. All projected class sizes, K-12, for 2009-2010 are within the established guidelines as set by the Board of Education.
Ø Includes the implementation of a Participation Fee for athletics to fund the cost of the athletic trainer and other associated athletic costs.
Ø Does not fund the replacement of computers, laser printers, and other hardware to replace aging equipment per our district’s technology plan or fund any new technology.
Ø Provides services for 18 students placed out of the district. These tuition and transportation costs represent a 25.54% increase over this year’s budget.
Ø Includes funding for an additional Grade 2 Teacher at Cherry Brook Primary School to meet growing enrollment needs.
Ø Reflects a .5 reduction in the ACT Program at Canton Intermediate School.
Ø Reflects the decrease of 7 special education paraprofessionals at Canton Intermediate School and 3 special education paraprofessionals at Canton Middle School based upon the projected needs of the students and a different model for delivering support services.
Ø Reflects the reduction of a .5 Special Education Teacher at Cherry Brook Primary School based upon student needs.
Ø Reflects the equivalent of a decrease of 1.0 FTE position in the maintenance/custodial areas.
Ø Reflects the decrease of the Director of Physical Plant position from .7 to .5 FTE.

Feel free to ask questions or comment on the school budget. Your input is valued.

Current Proposed School Budget

by Lynn K. McMullin

The current proposed school budget is now a 2.08% increase or an increase of
$457,788. Since just two line items - salaries and benefits - total $501, 000, it's obvious there have been many decreases. Furthermore, the 2.08% increase includes Capital Improvements and $195,000 for a down-payment and architect for two or three much needed modular classrooms at Cherry Brook Primary School. Most area school districts fund Capital Improvements separately from the education budget.

Please view the budget presentation on Nutmeg TV on Tuesday, April 14th at 5:30 p.m. or Wednesday, April 15th at 9:30 p.m.
Please attend the Board of Finance's Public hearing on Thursday, April 16 at 7:00 at the Canton Community center and their Budget Workshop on Tuesday, April 21st, at 4:00 p.m. also at the Community Center.
Please read the most recent newsletter, visit and read the on-line 2009 Brick-by-Brick report and the 10 Questions feature.

Please post any questions you have -- we're here to answer.