School budget up 5.2%

SALISBURY — The Board of Finance (BOF) took its first look at the proposed spending plans for 2013-14 from the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education Thursday, March 7.Lisa Carter, principal of Salisbury Central School (SCS), began by noting that the previous version of that board’s budget (discussed at the school board’s Feb. 25 meeting) had an incorrect number for the town’s Region One assessment. The combination of SCS and Region One proposed spending is higher, therefore, at $8,237,726, an increase over 2012-13 of $408,839 (5.22 percent).The SCS budget proposal is for $4,978,014, an increase of $138,530 (2.86 percent) and the Region One totals are $3,259,712, an increase of $270,309 (9.04 percent).The SCS spending plans call for 22 teachers in grades kindergarten to eight, up from 21, due to a large incoming kindergarten class (probably around 35 students).Carter said the new kindergarten teacher would be offered a one-year contract, with an option for a second year.The school board has asked for significant funds for technology. Carter said she thinks SCS “is significantly behind in technology resources.”The spending plan calls for upgrading the school’s Wi-Fi network, which currently serves only part of the two buildings on the campus.The plan also includes iPads for the teachers, two carts with 17 iPads for the students and replacing older laptop computers.Carter said that in subsequent years the technology tab won’t include “the big initial expense” of the Wi-Fi and iPads.The school is saving money with a budgeted price of $3.50 per gallon for heating oil (down from $4 per gallon). The spending plan includes a “water cannon,” an irrigation system for the athletic fields, which are themselves scheduled for repair. The water cannon is budgeted at $10,000.And the school board is asking for a small utility vehicle (a “Gator”) for chores that involve going back and forth between the two buildings with salt, sand, furniture and the like. Carter said SCS staff have been using their own vehicles for such purposes.The Gator, which can spread sand and plow snow, would be financed and cost $5,385 a year for five years.“With two buildings I don’t think it’s an unreasonable request,” said Carter.Municipal spendingAll three selectmen were on hand for First Selectman Curtis Rand and Comptroller Joe Cleaveland’s presentation of the proposed spending plan for the town. The bottom line for the town is $5,180,185, an increase of $138,407 (2.7 percent).Rand said the draft under discussion was the third (the first came in at an increase of $210,000, or 4.1 percent).He noted that for the frst time there will be two unions to deal with, although the highway workers are in the final year of a three-year contract, with a 2 percent raise.The new union, of Town Hall employees who joined the American Federation of County, State and Municipal Employees, has not yet met with Rand.Also in play is the state budget. Rand said that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget proposal for state grants to small towns, if left intact, could actually result in additional funds for roads.Heavy equipment purchases are in the near future, Rand said, and should be budgeted for. Highway trucks and a weed harvester are on that list.Finance Chairman Bill Willis complimented both Carter and Rand for their work and called each budget proposal “a good beginning.” He noted that the Board of Finance set aside one-tenth of a mill (about $115,000) last year for the expected increase in the Region One assessment, and that the town currently has about $215,000 set aside for the purpose.The next round of budget deliberations begins Tuesday, April 2, when the Board of Finance receives the final town budget proposal. On Thursday, April 4, the board receives the final education budget proposal and votes on presenting the two to voters at a public hearing scheduled for Monday, April 22. All those meetings are at Town Hall at 7:30 p.m.