What's Driving the Increase in Tolland's School Budget?

Superintendent William Guzman for the 2013-2014 school year.

The budget is increasing $1,768,071 despite declining student enrollment and the reduction of nearly 9 teaching positions, so Tolland taxpayers may ask, what is behind the rising expenses?

Guzman addresses the major cost drivers behind his budget in the Superintendent's Message portion of his budget presentation. According to Guzman, rising costs can largely be attributed to these three expenses:

1. Rising salary and benefits expenses due to personnel contracts - Teachers, administrators and nurses are entering their final contract year this upcoming budget season, so this year's increases in salary/benefits were finalized during 2010/2011 contract negotiatons. The paraprofessional, clerical and custodian contracts are up for negotiation this spring.

Increase of $176,380 (this figure accounts for the proposed eliminated positions)

2. Health Insurance - Health insurance costs are projected to increase 9.69 percent this year, amounting to $1,005,525. The school district and town are now part of the Eastern Connecticut Health Insurance Program, a consortium of municipalities and school districts. Guzman said that the increase is the lowest in the past ten years so far. 

3. Special Education Costs - Tolland is currently paying to outplace 31 students, according to the superintendent. Guzman noted that the State Department of Education Excess Cost and Agency Placement Grant has declined from its goal of funding 100 percent of outside placements, to its current funding level of 70 percent, leaving the towns to pay 30 percent of those costs.

Special Services Program: Increase of $135,000

Numbers from the 2012-2013 budget can be found on the school board website. As of Thursday evening, the 2013-2014 budget recommendation had not yet been posted online.