East Hartford Schools Seek 3% Budget Increase

Dec. 28--EAST HARTFORD -- The board of education has requested a 3 percent budget increase for fiscal 2016-17.

The $90 million request, up $2.7 million from this year's schools budget, was approved unanimously by the board Dec. 21.

The increase is driven by contractual increases, debt service and rising special education costs, Chairman Bryan Hall said.

"The number and cost of tuitions and services for outplaced special needs students continue to rise in the district," Hall said. "The cost of special needs students attending local magnet schools is also continuing to rise."

Hall said within the budget is $300,000 to buy four new school buses for special needs students throughout the district.

"There is an increased demand for special needs transportation at all levels throughout the district," Hall said.

Hall added that $736,288 is included in the proposed budget for debt repayment on an energy improvement system. Increases in property and liability insurance, , Social Security and Medicare taxes and paraprofessional pension contributions also account for the budget increase.

Last year, the board asked for a 3.6 percent increase, a total budget of $90 million, and received a 1.1 percent increase.

"This budget was carefully designed to both promote schools that are the pride of our community as well as strategically deliver a high quality learning experience for every child, every day," Hall said.

Hall said the district's plans for 2016-17 include the Early Childhood Learning Center, which will serve 300 East Hartford preschoolers.

"We are excited and energized by a district plan that is bold, innovative and truly focused," Hall said. "FY 2016-2017 promises to be groundbreaking for East Hartford public schools. ... Next year we look forward to the opening of an Early Childhood Learning Center at Hockanum School that will effectively bring district resources together to serve nearly 300 children."

The board is scheduled to present the budget to the town council on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers.

is bold, innovative and truly focused," Hall said. "FY 2016-2017 promises to be groundbreaking for East Hartford Public Schools ... next year we look forward to the opening of an Early Childhood Learning Center at Hockanum School that will effectively bring district resources together to serve nearly 300 children."

The board is scheduled to present the budget to the town council on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers.

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