By James Lomuscio
UPDATE The Westport Board of Education tonight approved a list of budget reductions proposed by Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon which he would not diminish children’s educational opportunities next year.
In a letter sent to the school board in advance of the meeting, Landon stressed the cuts are necessary to offset a $500,000 Board of Finance cut from the 2010-2011 budget, a reduction upheld earlier this month by the Representative Town Meeting.
“The reductions proposed have been discussed fully with all of our building principals and central office staff,” Landon said. “We are guided by the philosophy that no reduction be made that would impact negatively upon programs and services that directly serve the children attending our schools.”
Landon said that the proposed cuts are sustainable, providing long-term budget savings, and that administrators believe “these recommended reductions are more desirable than any other reductions that may have been suggested or might be contemplated by the public.”
Landon cautioned that while it may be tempting for citizens to suggest cuts, “no one in the public has the intimate knowledge of our day-to-day operations to make such judgments in an educated fashion.”
The list of cuts totaling $500,000 includes: two Staples paraprofessionals, $72,000 with benefits; four half-time secretarial positions for a savings of $98,000; the loss of a reserve teacher, $68,000; a non-certified human resources staff member, $92,000; a $25,000 athletic equipment cut at Staples; and a reduction in maintenance and building projects netting $147,653 in savings.
““With regard to the reductions being proposed in the maintenance and building project areas, care has been given to ensure that anything done will not have a negative impact upon the health and safety of staff and students during the 2010-2011 school year,” said Landon.
