The Board of Education will seek a 2010-2011 fiscal year budget that proposes no new positions or programs. It also shows a reduction in elementary school staffing to match projected reductions in student enrollment. At the same time, the proposed budget plans for expected decreases in state reimbursement for special education costs.The school board is requesting a 2010-2011 operational budget of $41,578,160. With the addition of maintenance accounts, health

The school board is requesting a 2010-2011 operational budget of $41,578,160. With the addition of maintenance accounts, health The proposed $41.6 million operational budget represents a $1.4 million increase over the present year's budget, or an increase of

insurance premiums, and debt service, the total budget request is $50,501,553.

The proposed $41.6 million operational budget represents a $1.4 million increase over the present year's budget, or an increase of In his budget message, Superintendent of Schools David Klein said the recommended budget "is a thoughtful spending plan that

3.49 percent. The proposal, however, includes an anticipated reduction of $265,337 in state funding for special education costs. Without this shortfall, the budget increase would represent 2.83 percent.

In his budget message, Superintendent of Schools David Klein said the recommended budget "is a thoughtful spending plan that While there are no new programs or positions, the budget "supports all existing curricular, co-curricular, and extra curricular programs…The budget increase is strictly tied to contractual

recognizes the difficult fiscal climate in both the town and the state."

While there are no new programs or positions, the budget "supports all existing curricular, co-curricular, and extra curricular programs…The budget increase is strictly tied to contractual The goal of the budget process, he said last week, "was to exercise fiscal prudence while maintaining quality educational programs for all students."

obligations for current employees, special education services, facilities operations, and transportation services."

The goal of the budget process, he said last week, "was to exercise fiscal prudence while maintaining quality educational programs for all students."Expected declines in student enrollment at the elementary schools led directly to a reduction of 2.5 teaching positions-two,

Expected declines in student enrollment at the elementary schools led directly to a reduction of 2.5 teaching positions-two, In the proposed budget, salaries account for $30.3 million, a $948,000 or 3.2 percent increase, when compared to the current fiscal year. Health insurance costs are estimated at nearly

1st-grade teachers and one half-day kindergarten teacher. The Board of Education projects 105 fewer students next year in grades kindergarten through 4. This also led to the reduction of 3.8 positions within the support staff.

In the proposed budget, salaries account for $30.3 million, a $948,000 or 3.2 percent increase, when compared to the current fiscal year. Health insurance costs are estimated at nearly Additional employee benefits-life insurance, disability insurance, Social Security, unemployment, workers' compensation, and pensions-cost another $1.9 million. Certified teachers contribute 7.25 percent of their salary to the state retirement program. They are not covered under a town-financed pension plan. The pensions financed under the education budget cover employees other than teachers.

$6 million, an 11 percent increase.

Additional employee benefits-life insurance, disability insurance, Social Security, unemployment, workers' compensation, and pensions-cost another $1.9 million. Certified teachers contribute 7.25 percent of their salary to the state retirement program. They are not covered under a town-financed pension plan. The pensions financed under the education budget cover employees other than teachers. The Board of Education, faced this fiscal year with a possible 23 percent reduction in state reimbursements for special education, has planned for a 30 percent reduction in the same reimbursement line item in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

The Board of Education, faced this fiscal year with a possible 23 percent reduction in state reimbursements for special education, has planned for a 30 percent reduction in the same reimbursement line item in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.The budget anticipates decreased costs in the areas of purchased services, supplies, equipment, utilities, and telecommunication.

The budget anticipates decreased costs in the areas of purchased services, supplies, equipment, utilities, and telecommunication.The Board of Education will formally present its requested 2010-2011 budget to a joint meeting of the boards of Selectmen and Finance on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Campus.

The Board of Education will formally present its requested 2010-2011 budget to a joint meeting of the boards of Selectmen and Finance on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Campus.