Spending off 1.15% in budget proposal

LITCHFIELD – The School District proposes to spend a little less next year, but because of shrinking revenue, the tax rate would still increase.

The Budget Committee has shaped a proposed Litchfield School District budget that decreases operational spending by 1.15 percent, but school officials expect to receive 2.3 percent less revenue from state, federal and other sources.

As a result, the school portion of the tax rate would increase 4 cents, from $12.54 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation to $12.58 per $1,000, adding about $12 to the annual tax bill of a home assessed at $300,000.

Those numbers could change before voting day March 9, because voters can alter the proposed budget at Deliberative Session on Feb. 6.

The School Board had proposed a $20.88 million operating budget, but the Budget Committee – which prepares the final town and school budget proposals – cut $354,694 in services and programs, to reach $20.53 million. Those cuts include $32,403 in teacher salaries and $80,000 to repair the athletic track at Campbell High School. The track repair was endorsed by the School Board.

The budget forwarded by the School Board was approved by a 3-2 margin, with members Cindy Couture and Jason Guerrette opposing.

Guerrette said he thinks more cuts should have been made. The School District has the potential of losing more revenue next year, he said.

Guerrette said the board should have started gradually preparing for an even tougher future by making more cuts now, rather than have to make drastic reductions when the time comes. Couture couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

“Unavoidable increases” to the operating budget were health and dental benefit rates ($345,918) and special education transportation costs ($345,134), the Budget Committee said in its report. Aside from the operating budget, voters will get another look at a proposed teachers’ contract. A three-year deal for teachers was defeated by a 442-866 margin last year.

This time around, the contract doesn’t call for a retroactive step increase for the current school year.

Teachers would receive a one-step increase but no cost-of-living increase next school year, and those at the top of the salary scale would get a one-time payment of $950. Total salaries and benefits for next year would jump $171,630 if the contract is approved.

For school year 2011-12, teachers would get a 1 percent cost-of-living increase and a one-step increase, with teachers at the top of the salary scale receiving a one-time payment of $600. Salaries and benefits would increase $232,763 for that year.

Albert McKeon can be reached at 594-5832 or amckeon@nashuatelegraph.com.