Iassogna: Cuts Will Seriously Affect Schools

Cutting the proposed education budget increase could have serious consequences, Schools Supt. Ralph Iassogna warned Wednesday.

“An increase of less than 4.85 percent would require reducing staff, and with a three percent increase there would be large scale staff reductions – low double-digit teaching positions,” he said.

He was addressing the Board of Finance at a budget workshop in the Long Hill Administration building Wednesday night. The two boards will hold a follow up meeting on March 1. The Board of Finance will then vote on the combined town and education budgets on March 14.

The Board of Education seeks a budget that keeps the district whole after First Selectman Tim Herbst recommended a 2.375 percent increase, half of the 5.38 percent the district sought.

The school board is trying to make cuts to meet that number, including $1 million taken out of textbook and software purchases, essentially eliminating that line item. To replace a portion of the cut, the Board reallocated $825,223 of unspent funds during 2009-10 to pre-purchase essential items, including $326,366 for text books.

The Board also obtained $1.23 million of state and federal funds that are being used to fund mandated or necessary programs – including $147,741 to buy text books. A total of $1.663 million from all three of these one-time sources was used to support recurring items and programs, some essential, others mandated.

For the upcoming year an equal amount must be moved into the budget to maintain the programs.

Two budgets are on the table. One is the Board of Education-approved $89.5 million that was submitted to the first selectman, which carries over the externally funded programs. The other is Herbst’s recommended budget, which cuts $2.55 million.

Accepting the First Selectman’s request, Iassogna said, would lead to a significant shrinking of academic, athletic and extra curricular programs, a severe staff cut, and potentially a grade reconfiguration or even a school closing.

Perry Molinoff, a Board of Finance alternate, asked what programs might be proposed to meet the First Selectman’s target. Iassogna deferred, saying that the school board will prepare a series of scenarios to address the issue for the second joint meeting.

He said because the board had only instructed him Tuesday to start the review, offering specifics would be premature.

It was noted that while the district performed very well on the most recent state standardized tests, stiffer requirements take effect next year. And in 2014, all students, regular and special-education, must attain a 100 percent proficiency level on the state standardized tests or the district will be penalized and required to provide extra remedial education – at its expense.

Assistant Supt. Gary Cialfi added that Trumbull High School will face reaccreditation in 2013.

Charlotte Janis, principal of Tashua Elementary School, said it is important to resume curriculum writing and professional development to allow delivery of 21st-century curriculum. It was cut in the current budget, she said.

Newly appointed Board of Finance Member Elaine Hammers asked why every town has its own curriculum, instead of a single statewide program for each subject area.

Curriculum Director Linda Paslov responded that as standardized tests assume a larger role as districts are moving toward more standardized curricula. Additionally, “curricula must be seamless from K through 12” and teachers need ongoing professional development to assure they can deliver the new curriculum, she said.

As the meeting drew to a close, Iassogna reviewed the four items Herbst mentioned in his budget transmittal letter as opportunities for savings. A consolidation of facilities maintenance staff was almost accomplished eight years ago, and the district remains open to revisiting it, recognizing that contracts must be renegotiated to conclude the change.

The district uses competitive bidding and already buys through two co-ops. It will add the one referred by the First Selectman to its lists. Consolidating school and town employees for health insurance was presented to the schools’ and the town’s brokers of records. Both brokers reported back that combining would raise costs for both.

District Custodial and Maintenance Services Head Steve Kennedy has worked with the United Illuminating co. for more than 20 years to conserve power. The district has converted most of its buildings to natural gas, and uses contracts to lock in energy prices where ever possible.

The follow up meeting will be March 1, where the school board will present its budget-reducing scenarios and seek the Finance Board’s input on the program.

Another budgetary public hearing will be held at on March 5 at 10 a.m.