Perlini to Present Education Budget

With the need to make up for a $600,000 loss in federal funding and make adjustments to cope with rising operational costs looming overhead, Interim-Superintendent Dr. Ernest Perlini is set to present the district's 2012-13 education budget to the Board of Education Tuesday.

It has been accepted by the Board of Education finance committee and the Windsor Town Council that the budget will reflect an overall increase — exactly how much of a funding increase has yet to be determined. That percentage increase will be revealed when Perlini makes his presentation.

Finance Committee Chair Christopher Watts told Board members on January 11 that the budget should come in under the Town Council's estimate of a 3-percent increase.

Over the past few weeks, the district has taken a hard look at a number of ways to cut costs, including self-funding health care, re-negotiating its busing contract with Rainbow Bus Lines and the fiscal impact of sending Windsor students to magnet schools outside of the district.

Immediately following Perlini's presentation on Tuesday, a public forum will be held, allowing residents to voice their opinions for up to one hour.

A public hearing will be held at L.P. Wilson the following night.