Updated: 305 Sign Online Petition to Approve Trumbull Ed Budget As Is

Update, April 8, 11:35 a.m.

The petition has now garnered 305 signatures. The Town Council Finance Committee meets tonight at 7 p.m.

In a letter delivered to the committee before the April 4 public hearing, resident Richard White said the current budget proposal uses a "collection of gimmicks designed to deal with such a large reduction, provide for needed improvements, and to masl that a $1.86 million cut isn't really a cut."

"Citizens in Trumbull are very proud of our school system, we have seen the impact of underfunding technology and curriculum development and other areas over the last few years and we are concerned about further reductions," he wrote.

The Town Council cannot add to the budget and meets April 10 at 8 p.m. in Town Hall to take a final vote.

Original Story

Trumbull resident Richard White is petitioning the Town Council to leave the proposed 2013-2014 school budget intact.

"Any additional cuts to the Board of Education budget request WILL NEGATIVELY [sic] affect the quality of education of our public schools," White wrote in the petition.

As of late Thursday afternoon, 92 people had signed it.

The petition is located here.

First Selectman Tim Herbst has proposed a 2.74 percent education budget increase but the district asked for 4.56 percent. The increase covers some additional staff and salaries and benefits.

Being considered separately for bonding purposes are school security upgrades ($832,000), technology upgrades ($693,000) and new turf at Trumbull High School (Possibly $1 million).

The Finance Committee of the Town Council meets today at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.