ESSEX - The Board of Education has begun its review of the 2012-2013 fiscal year budget proposal, which shows a $238,362 or 3.22 percent increase when compared with the present budget.

The budget proposal-$7,641,152-is a recommendation from the administration. The Board of Education will review it, discuss it, and make its own recommendations for cuts or additions before it presents a budget to the Board of Finance and to citizens at a public hearing.

The proposal shows a 2.2 percent increase, or $163,105, in operational and contractual accounts. This includes a $90,794 increase in salaries for existing staff and an $11,465 anticipated increase in health insurance costs. There is a $63,440 increase for out of district transportation and tuition for special education, and a $23,450 increase anticipated in fuel oil costs.

The four boards of education in the regional school district share the costs of the Supervision District, which is the mechanism used to provide shared services such as transportation and the central office administration, across the district. The Essex board's share of the projected Supervision District budget is an increase of $13,534.

There are also reductions in operating costs. These include a $13,134 reduction in unemployment compensation and a $28,040 reduction anticipated for in-district special education services.

The budget proposal also calls for an upgrade in three para-educator positions. These positions would become teacher assistants. In each case, the upgrade is an increase of $4,086, for a total of $12,258. There is also a request for a new para-educator for kindergarten, at a cost of $25,999.

The school board has held two workshops to date on this budget proposal, its first on Feb. 1 and a second on Wednesday. A third workshop is scheduled for March 5 and a fourth and final review on March 8, at which time it is expected to vote on a budget to present to the Board of Finance.

Proposed 2012-2013 elementary school budget

2011-2012 2012-2013

Salaries $4,687,655 $4,819,703

Employee benefits $1,440,653 $1,428,165

Professional &

Technical services $ 243,607 $ 211,135

Property services $ 368,830 $ 364,434

Purchased services $ 369,428 $ 415,824

Supplies $ 273,345 $ 308,331

Property $ 13,475 $ 12,876

Other objects $ 5,797 $ 5,427

Staffing recommendations $ 38,257

Additional services $ 37,000

Grand Total $7,402,790 $7,641,152