Tolland Student Strikes a Chord at Budget Meeting

James Gifford thinks he missed a note when he took the stage at a joint budget meeting of the Town Council and Board of Education on Tuesday.

A council member said he set the tone.

Gifford, known as "Jim" in Tolland school circles, particularly with the band, is a 12-year-old seventh-grader. He admitted he was nervous when he went to the podium to address concerns he and the school band students had over comments circulating around school that a band class teacher was out of the 2013-14 budget proposal.

It is the equivalent of .6 of a position, according to some town officials.

He said he was even more nervous when Town Council Chairman Jack Scavone cautioned him on a point of order over how things needed to be phrased at the meeting.

Council members eventually reassured him and Gifford made an impassioned speech that the position should be in the school system budget for next year.

On Wednesday, he was not sure what kind of impact he made.

"Personally, I know I'm just a kid who said something the council does not care about," he said. "I am worried it did not carry any weight."

But council member Mark Gill said Gifford did make an impression.

"The second public speaker of the night was a student from TMS who very effectively expressed his concern over reductions in the music program reflected in the current BOE budget request," Gill said. "The discussion that ensued helped to illustrate the need for setting clear priorities throughout our budget process."

Gifford on Wednesday said when he was younger he, "had trouble with school."

"During the day, school would just drag and everything became a blur," he said. "I started band and my grades became better and my days revolved around it."

He said the band class is "important for fourth- and fifth-graders." Gifford now plays several instruments - including piano and tuba - in various groups.

"He really set the tone and started the conversation," Gill said.

The proposed Board of Education budget proposal for the 2013-14 fiscal year is for $37,053,533, a 3.78 percent, or a $1,351,305 increase over the current budget.

Town Manager Steven Werbner said he plans to send his full municipal budget proposal to the Town Council on March 12. There are three workshops scheduled for March 13, March 20 and March 21, all beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Hicks Municipal Center.

Werbner released the following statement on Tuesday's meeting:

"The meeting was an open and honest exchange between the elected BOE and Town Council members as well as the town manager, superintendent and residents. Everyone’s goal is, to the extent possible, maintain the excellent school system that we have along with the full range of municipal services taking into consideration the difficult revenue position we are faced with. This means all parties have to look at different ways to provide services in an effort to address the concerns associated with ability - and some cases the willingness - of residents to pay more in property taxes. This will be a very difficult budget process for the council and board and unfortunately the picture does not improve in the immediate future with what is taking place at the state and federal level."

Said Gill, "I thought that last night’s discussions, debates, comments, and ideas on the Tolland budget process were outstanding. Much of our time was spent discussing our priorities and how to ensure that the budget presented at referendum accurately reflects those priorities. Countless ideas were discussed that could help reduce the current 3.78 percent BOE request without adversely effecting education programs and classroom size. I remain optimistic that our end result will be education system funded to meet today’s needs while at the same time minimizing  further increases in our property tax rates."  

Said school board member Steve Clark, "The meeting went well as far as it being a very candid discussion between the Board of Education and the Town Council. It was a first-time exchange of ideas and everybody was very open as far as what they thought was necessary. I'm not sure any opinions changed toward what ultimately will be recommended, but I think it was an open and honest exchange of ideas. I do not think anything will be recommended with a substantial tax increase."

Clark said he was impressed with Jim Gifford. The first workshop - March 13 - happens to fall on Gifford's 13th birthday.

Gifford said he is unsure, but doubts he will attend.

He might not have to. He seems to have already made an influence.