The Westport Board of Education tonight approved unanimously the superintendent’s proposed $79.5 million 2005-06 school budget which provides for a 6.5 percent increase over the current year.
Elliott Landon: “No dimunition of program.” WN photo
Outgoing Republican member Mark Owades made a motion to reduce the budget by $100,000 in anticipation of possible insurance cost-savings, but it failed 1-6 with Owades the only yes vote.
The budget calls for a $4.8 million increase, 70 percent of which Superintendent Elliott Landon said is to maintain current services. Noting that neighboring districts had asked for larger increases, Landon said,“We have not engaged in any dimunition of program in doing this.”
The proposal includes a $1 million increase in the insurance fund as well as eight new teaching positions at Staples High School, which is undergoing a $74 million expansion and renovation.
Before the vote, the board heard from a number of parents at Kings Highway Elementary School who asked for smaller class sizes. Landon said three reserve teachers were included in the proposed budget and an additional teacher could be added to the school if necessary.
Earlier, the board approved a request from the School Building Committee to endorse a recommendation to ask town funding bodies for an additional $2.5 million for the Staples project.
The board had held up endorsing the request pending resolution of a question about windows at the new wing of Staples High School that do not open as provided in the educational specifications for the building.
Some windows will now be modified at an estimated cost of $25,000 to be covered by the contingency fund. Sandra Urist voted against the proposal because she said she was unhappy with the process that held up board action on the request but supported the expenditure.
The board also set a timetable for replacing Owades, who has submitted his resignation effective next month. (See WestportNow Jan. 18, 2005). It said it will accept applications from Republicans until Feb. 24 and then begin interviews.
Pete Wolgast, chair of the Republican Town Committee, told the board his group had applications from six Republicans interested in serving out Owades’ term, which expires in November.
