“We face unique challenges this year,” he said, noting that reopening Coleytown Middle School (CMS) next year accounted for around $800,000 of the increase.
“The community has embraced two middle schools,” he said. “There are costs associated with it.”
Insurance costs are up about 10%, he said, and that accounts for about $1.5 million of the total $4-million increase.
“Our budget (increase) this year would be at 1.54%,” he said, without those two items.
“We had to take a look at staffing and a deep look at staffing,” Abbey said, “and that is not an easy thing to do.”
Abbey proposed an overall reduction of 8.6 full time equivalents (FTE.) He said this equation starts with a 18.1 FTE reduction comprised of 9.6 certified and 8.5 noncertified, coupled with a 9.5 FTE addition of staff Abbey said are necessary for the reopening of CMS.
Other cuts included staff development funding and stipends, facility improvements, and tech equipment.
“The current budget is a lean budget … It’s not a budget that allows for a great deal of latitude,” Abbey said.
Several science educators were in attendance speaking on behalf of their programs, along with some parents and town officials.
“The program design is what makes Westport a leader in elementary science,” said Mary Purcell, science coach at Coleytown Elementary School.
“Our passion led to this innovation,” said Phaedra Taft, science coach at Greens Farms and Long Lots Elementary
“If this were to be cut you’d be stopping a pioneering program,” she said, noting she was involved with its inception and that this would amount to dismantling all their work.
Mark Friedman, District 3 member of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), said he understood the BOE was trying to balance its budget, but felt it was going too far.
“We’re starting to impact some of the things that make the Westport schools very special,” he said.
“I’ve heard the phrase, ‘We can make this work.’ That’s not inspiring to me … Making it work is not the same as making things great,” he said.
“I’m really disappointed to see this up there,” said Lauren Karpf, RTM District 7, sharing about the impact the program has had on her children.
“The reality is that there is an impact for many or all of these cuts,” said Anthony Buono, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning.
Following inquiries, several BOE members raised the question of Abbey’s choice to keep spending $90,000 for bus monitors, which are used on the elementary routes where students board and exit from busy roads.
“For me it’s an issue of safety and security,” he said, referencing the 1991 incident in which an eight-year-old student named Holly Finley, living on Evergreen Avenue, was dragged beneath the school bus and killed after her backpack caught on the handrail and the driver shut the door and pulled away.
In 2012 there was a very similar near miss. A boy’s backpack was caught and the Dattco driver pulled off without checking that he was clear of the bus. Fortunately the driver saw him at the last minute and stopped the bus.
“There are people who have different views than mine,” Abbey said, but indicated he would like to see monitors on all the buses.
“We’ve been told there are no other districts in America that have these,” BOE Vice Chair Jeannie Smith said.
“I would make a motion to add back in the science coaches, personally,” BOE member Karen Kleine said.
BOE Secretary Elaine Whitney said traditionally the board holds discussions on items to be reinstated or new additional cuts, and then votes by section.
She prepared a list that included several items for possible reinstatement to be discussed next week, including the science coaches, as well as the possible new cut of the bus monitors.
“I would love for the board to take a position of increasing money back in,” Abbey said, noting that if they want to keep the increase below 3.5 % it would mean staff cuts.
Kleine noted recent comments by First Selectman Jim Marpe, in which he touted the town’s financial reserves.
“Our reserves are in very good shape … That’s something we need to repeat,” she said.
“Why it’s necessary for us to go to this number, I don’t understand it,” she said.
“We face unique challenges this year,” he said, noting that reopening Coleytown Middle School (CMS) next year accounted for around $800,000 of the increase.
“The community has embraced two middle schools,” he said. “There are costs associated with it.”
Insurance costs are up about 10%, he said, and that accounts for about $1.5 million of the total $4-million increase.
“Our budget (increase) this year would be at 1.54%,” he said, without those two items.
“We had to take a look at staffing and a deep look at staffing,” Abbey said, “and that is not an easy thing to do.”
Abbey proposed an overall reduction of 8.6 full time equivalents (FTE.) He said this equation starts with a 18.1 FTE reduction comprised of 9.6 certified and 8.5 noncertified, coupled with a 9.5 FTE addition of staff Abbey said are necessary for the reopening of CMS.
Other cuts included staff development funding and stipends, facility improvements, and tech equipment.
“The current budget is a lean budget … It’s not a budget that allows for a great deal of latitude,” Abbey said.
Several science educators were in attendance speaking on behalf of their programs, along with some parents and town officials.
“The program design is what makes Westport a leader in elementary science,” said Mary Purcell, science coach at Coleytown Elementary School.
“Our passion led to this innovation,” said Phaedra Taft, science coach at Greens Farms and Long Lots Elementary
“If this were to be cut you’d be stopping a pioneering program,” she said, noting she was involved with its inception and that this would amount to dismantling all their work.
Mark Friedman, District 3 member of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), said he understood the BOE was trying to balance its budget, but felt it was going too far.
“We’re starting to impact some of the things that make the Westport schools very special,” he said.
“I’ve heard the phrase, ‘We can make this work.’ That’s not inspiring to me … Making it work is not the same as making things great,” he said.
“I’m really disappointed to see this up there,” said Lauren Karpf, RTM District 7, sharing about the impact the program has had on her children.
“The reality is that there is an impact for many or all of these cuts,” said Anthony Buono, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning.
Following inquiries, several BOE members raised the question of Abbey’s choice to keep spending $90,000 for bus monitors, which are used on the elementary routes where students board and exit from busy roads.
“For me it’s an issue of safety and security,” he said, referencing the 1991 incident in which an eight-year-old student named Holly Finley, living on Evergreen Avenue, was dragged beneath the school bus and killed after her backpack caught on the handrail and the driver shut the door and pulled away.
In 2012 there was a very similar near miss. A boy’s backpack was caught and the Dattco driver pulled off without checking that he was clear of the bus. Fortunately the driver saw him at the last minute and stopped the bus.
“There are people who have different views than mine,” Abbey said, but indicated he would like to see monitors on all the buses.
“We’ve been told there are no other districts in America that have these,” BOE Vice Chair Jeannie Smith said.
“I would make a motion to add back in the science coaches, personally,” BOE member Karen Kleine said.
BOE Secretary Elaine Whitney said traditionally the board holds discussions on items to be reinstated or new additional cuts, and then votes by section.
She prepared a list that included several items for possible reinstatement to be discussed next week, including the science coaches, as well as the possible new cut of the bus monitors.
“I would love for the board to take a position of increasing money back in,” Abbey said, noting that if they want to keep the increase below 3.5 % it would mean staff cuts.
Kleine noted recent comments by First Selectman Jim Marpe, in which he touted the town’s financial reserves.
“Our reserves are in very good shape … That’s something we need to repeat,” she said.
“Why it’s necessary for us to go to this number, I don’t understand it,” she said.
