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The Westport Board of Education voted unanimously tonight not to seek restoration of any part of the $1 million cut to its proposed 2006-07 budget.
A week ago the Board of Finance cut the funds from the proposal saying the cut should be made to the insurance fund. The finance board will hold its restoration hearing on Wednesday.
The changes mean the 2006-07 school budget would be $82 million if the Representative Town Meeting gives its final approval in May. It is a 4.3 percent increase over the current budget of $78.6 million.
Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon recommended the board not seek restoration, and he said tonight that Board of Finance members gave assurances that if there are problems with the insurance fund it would be fixed.
“They gave us assurances that if we find we are in a difficulty, it is their obligation to fund it,” he said. “I believe we are O.K. for the next year.”
Board Chairwoman Mary Parmelee said she was not thrilled with the proposal at first because of the reaction from administrators, who she relies on for information.
She realized, however, that she needed to trust the Board of Finance the same way she expects it to trust the school board in spending the money.
