MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARING
BOARD OF FINANCE
MAY 8, 2007
A PUBLIC HEARING was held by the Board of Finance on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 in the Auditorium on the proposed budget for the Torrington Public Schools, for the fiscal period July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, members of the Board of Finance Daniel Farley, Bruce Cornish, Mark Bushka, Thomas Scoville, and James Zeller, Chairman of the Board of Education Paul Cavegnaro, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Susan O’Brien, Director of Business Services Nancy Haynes, and several members of the Board of Education. Board of Finance member James Nichol was absent.
Mayor Bingham called the public hearing to order at 7:07 p.m.
Assistant City Clerk Joline LeBlanc read the legal notice.
Dr. Susan O’Brien, Superintendent of Schools, proposed a 5.9% increase in next year’s budget to move the district forward in a diligent manner. She identified the following Board of Education goals:
1. Advance academic achievement
2. Address the accreditation process at the high school
3. Provide a safe and welcoming school environment
4. Comply with the No Child Left Behind mandate
5. Use all our resources effectively and efficiently
She identified the Board of Education’s priorities:
1. To address the NEASC accreditation expectations
2. To reduce our drop-out rate
3. To advance literacy attainment
4. To advance our adequate yearly progress plan, mandated by No Child Left Behind.
Mayor Bingham asked if anyone from the public had any questions or comments.
Wendy Fox urged the Board of Finance to accept the budget as presented.
Tracy O’Connell felt the Budget Committee did a great job and agreed that the proposed budget should be approved as is.
Karen Albreada felt this budget was bare bones, and the children deserved nothing less than what was being presented.
Ms. Cappabianco commended the Budget Committee for a job well done. Any cuts to the proposed budget would impact every student. She felt we needed to get the education back to where it was in the past.
Kathy Peterson said people don’t move to a town that doesn’t have a good educational system. She felt the city should educate all of its children.
Sally and Bob Perla urged the Board of Finance to accept the budget as presented.
Mr. Cornish thanked everyone for attending and speaking. He felt the comments were helpful.
Mayor Bingham called the public hearing to a close at 7:15 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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