Windsor Locks school board OKs 11.2% spending hike

Matthew Knox, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·2 min read

Feb. 2—WINDSOR LOCKS — The Board of Education has unanimously approved a budget for the next fiscal year that requests an increase in funding of 11.2%.

The budget totals $35.7 million, which is about $3.6 million more than the current year's spending and $230,000 more than what was initially recommended by schools Superintendent Shawn Parkhurst.

When Parkhurst presented his proposed school budget in January, he urged the Board of Education to break a cycle of underfunding that he said has led to staffing problems, reduced programming, and low student achievement.

Parkhurst said many of the school budgets dating back to the 2014-15 school year have had increases at or close to zero, and that has caused the school system to use grant funding to cover operating costs when their real purpose is to fuel innovation and increase achievement.

Following the presentation, the board decided to undo some of the cuts that Parkhurst recommended, leading to a larger budget.

The board chose to keep two elementary school interventionists at a cost of $144,000 and a special education teacher that will cost about $70,000.

The board also decided to spend $30,000 for the high school show choir, which includes paying the director and choreographer, costumes, transportation and festival fees. Funding for the middle school show choir was also kept, at a cost of $10,000.

The board also agreed with Parkhurst's recommendation to add an assistant superintendent and three new school resource officers, together costing about $360,000.

But the board approved a number of reductions, including eliminating a different special education teacher position, a special education tutor, two elementary school teachers, and a director of curriculum.

The budget doesn't include funding for a high school volleyball program, a freshman boys basketball team, or a math team.

According to Parkhurst, about 97% of the budget is composed of fixed costs and contractual and salary obligations.

According to meeting minutes from December, the Board of Finance requested the school board adopt a budget without any increase in funding for the next school year.

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