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No increase in Region One 2020 budget

FALLS VILLAGE — The Region One Board of Education approved the 2019-20 budget plan after a 31 minute public hearing on Thursday, April 4, at Housatonic Valley Regional High School (HVRHS).

The $15,777,309 budget plan will be the subject of a referendum on Tuesday, May 7.

Board Chair Robert Whelan of Sharon told the audience of two citizens (plus moderator Dean Saccardi and two videographers) that while it is the second straight year the board has put together a budget with a zero percent increase, “I don’t know if that can be replicated in following years.”

The only question came from Lynn Harrington of Kent, who asked how the “purchased services” line in the high school budget was calculated.

The Region One budget has three components: Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Pupil Services (which includes special education), and the Regional Schools Services Center (the superintendent’s office).

The budget proposal for HVRHS is $8,036,255, an increase of $180,762 (2.3%). The proposal for Pupil Services is $6,328,551, a decrease of $346,775 (5.19 %). The proposal for the RSSC is $1,412,503, an increase of $166,013 (13.32%).

The total is $15,777,309, a zero percent increase over 2018-19.

Lakeville Journal

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