Politics & Government

School Board Finalizes 2012-2013 Budget

Athletic fees were lowered to $225 at THS and raised to $150 at TMS as part of the adjusted budget.

The school board approved its 2012-2013 budget at the Wednesday night meeting, which included a lowering of pay-to-participate rates at the high school from their current levels.

The school board followed many of the proposed budget adjustments that Superintendent William Guzman presented at the .

However, the following changes were made:

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  • Athletic fees were increased from the proposed $175 at THS and $125 at TMS with a $700 family cap to $225 and $150 with the $700 family cap to fully fund all athletic levels. The change saved the board approximately $13,000.
  • The retention of a first-grade teacher at l, in order to keep small class sizes at the lower elementary level. The position was . The school board decided not to reinstate a third-grade teacher at . Each teaching position has a salary/benefits expense of $70,324.
  • The allocation of $50,000 towards technology investment.
  • The reinstatement of $31,199 to fund various maintenance projects, including the repair of crumbling sidewalks and stairs on school property, which were originally cut back in February. School district officials will determine which of the items, described as numbers 7-20 , will be completed.

Powell said that the pay-to-participate rates reflect a funding level that he believes the school district will be able to maintain.

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"Pay-to-play is an ongoing process," he said. "We've made a movement in the right direction. I believe that the fee structure is sustainable over two years."

In addition, the athletic director position is now full-time, without any increase in salary. As recommended at the last meeting, a previously part-time physical education teacher position was increased to take over the classes that the athletic director will no longer have time to teach.

The board also learned that money had had to be spent on substitute teachers throughout the year as the part-time director traveled to carry out necessary duties to run the program. Guzman also presented a list showing that of all of the 30 school districts in the CCC, Tolland was the only district with both a part-time director without an administrative assistant. Four of the other districts also had part-time directors, with assistance.

Guzman noted that an additional $110,000, approximately, had been added to the surplus since the last meeting. He explained that district staff had been working to free up the funds, which were still encumbered as part of purchase orders.

For example, he explained that if the district had a purchase order budgeted for $1,000 in a certain supply, but the cost only came to $700, the remaining $300 would still be listed under the purchase order. He said it is a part of the normal process of closing accounts as the end of the fiscal year draws to a close on June 30.

Powell acknowledged that not everyone will be pleased with the finalized budget.

"We're not going to be able to do everything for everyone," he said.

"Resources are limited," Guzman added. "And the demands on resources come from a variety of different places."


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