School budget up a little, high school tuition up a lot

SHARON —The Sharon Board of Education budget’s fourth and final draft contains a modest increase of 2.42 percent, or $79,694, to the Sharon Center School budget of $3,368,225.

The education total for Sharon taxpayers is up 7.23 percent, or $386,012. This includes an increase in high school tuition of 15.03 percent, or $237,392. Sharon’s share of the overall Region One budget rises $306,318 (14.27 percent) to $2,453,129.

The 2007-08 proposed budget’s net total for all Sharon students in kindergarten through grade 12 is $5,727,841.

Sharon Center School loses one full-time middle-school social studies position, as determined by enrollment projections, according to principal Karen Manning. The teacher who has been cut is Robert Giumarro.

Elsewhere in the SCS budget there are increases for teachers that are driven by contract, and numbers that reflect the increased costs of energy (electricity up 12.81 percent, or $7,704, to $67,833).

Increased fuel costs in turn help drive up the cost of building and grounds maintenance (up 12.22 percent or $1,288 to $11,828).

Improvements in computer technology contribute to a $57,077 (285.39 percent) increase in the capital improvements/computer-technology update line.

The total for all purchased services (ranging from an emergency fund to the bus contract to student athletic insurance) is up 13.05 percent, or $63,944, for a total of $554,109.

At the board’s last meeting the members voted unanimously to accept the SCS and Region One budgets. The Region One referendum is in May. The regional budget public hearing at Housatonic Valley Regional High School is April 4.

— Patrick L. Sullivan