MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARING
BOARD OF FINANCE
MAY 6, 2008
A PUBLIC HEARING was held on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 in the City Hall Auditorium by the Board of Finance on the proposed budget for the Torrington Public Schools, for the fiscal period July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
In the absence of Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Councilwoman Elinor Carbone presided over the meeting. Those present included members of the Board of Finance Daniel Farley, Laurene Pesce, Mark Bushka, Thomas Scoville, Wendy Traub, and James Zeller, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Susan O’Brien, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Barbara Campbell, members of the Board of Education Paul Cavagnero CHM., Frank Rubino CHM of the Budget Committee, Andrew Nargi, Michael Broverman, Heidi Laus, Bates Lyons, and Director of Business Services Nancy Haynes.
Councilor Carbone called the Public Hearing to order at 7:10 p.m.
Assistant City Clerk Joline LeBlanc read the legal notice.
Chairman Paul Cavagnero said the mission of the Board of Education is to provide the very best education they can for the greatest number of Torrington students for the money and resources they have available to them. The board is a very dedicated staff of volunteers elected by the voters of Torrington who works very hard throughout the entire year. He thanked the Budget Committee for the very professional and detail work presented within the budget. He noted that there was a big turnover in the Board of Education this year, especially in the very critical area of the Budget Committee, so they relied on the common sense, intelligence, and good judgement from a number of new people as well as that of Bates Lyons, who has been a member of the Budget Committee for a number of years. They were
asked to bring in a responsible budget that addresses the immediate needs of Torrington’s public education system that abides by our state and federal mandates and, at the same time, finds some key areas where they can make significant improvements in our school system at a minimal cost. The Board of Education voted unanimously to approve this budget.
He turned the meeting over to Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Susan O’Brien.
Dr. O’Brien thanked everyone for attending the public hearing and to show support for education in Torrington and for the welfare of the children.
Dr. O’Brien reviewed the Board of Education goals for the next year as follows:
1. Advance Academic Achievement
2. Complete NEASC Visitation - THS
3. Provide safe, welcoming school environment, focusing on the Middle School
4. Comply with NCLB and SPED mandates
5. Utilize all resources effectively and efficiently.
The Board of Education’s priorities include the following:
1. Address NEASC visitation. She informed the public that Torrington High School has been fully accredited by NEASC.
2. Reduce drop-out rate - Alternative Program at TMS. (Dr. O’Brien noted that the drop out rate has been reduced from 21% to 12%. They currently want to focus with alternative programing at the Middle School.)
3. Advance Literacy Attainment
4. Advance AYP Plan (NCLB)
5. Examine and Expand the TAG Program.
Dr. O’Brien noted that the Budget Committee started with a 7.15% increase, and carved as much as they could to get down to 6.93%. There are no frills nor fat in the budget. The proposed budget increase is $4,121,165.00 or 6.93%. When you use the anticipated revenue increase from the state of $2,782,978.00, the actual increase to taxpayers is $1,338,187.00 or 2.25%.
The contractual obligations, defined by collective bargaining agreements by various employee groups due to a lot of good, hard negotiating, totals 2.86%, which is below the norm of 3% to 4%. Fixed costs and supplies, like lighting, heating, substitute teachers, etc represents a 1.51% increase. The Special Education mandate required by law contains about a $1.6 million increase and the No Child Left Behind mandate comes in at about $120,000.00, totaling 2.98%.
Dr. O’Brien said their mandatory obligations are just moving their district forward without any improvements; simply maintaining programs is 7.34%. What they have suggested in this budget, since they want to focus on the Middle School, is a program improvement increase of only $74,730.00, or 0.13% of the increase. The capital has decreased by $323,036.00, or 0.54%. The reduction in capital will not harm the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings. The cuts come from initiatives, items they would like to have but can do without for a while longer.
__
Dr. O’Brien said there were two component pieces to the $74,730.00 in program improvements. Both are primarily focused at the Middle School. The first is a position called the School to Home Liaison who will work in a program called Upward Bound, aimed at a group of about 40 7th and 8th graders who are at risk. These young people are failing their courses, misbehaving in class and taking away teacher time from other students, disengaged in school, sometimes have attendance problems and, for some reason or other, are moving down the road of dropping out of school. They want to try to intervene with these students before they get to that point where they drop out. This program is almost totally supported by grants. The only expense will be $50,000.00
to run this program that will serve 40 of their most troubled students. This is a proven model in other areas in New England and New York. Two board members have visited classrooms using this model and came away very impressed with what this will do for their troubled students.
Equally important are students in the TAG Program for both elementary and middle schools. They want to do an accelerated program at Torrington Middle School for the top 10% of the students in grades 6, 7, and 8. This program will service approximately 40 students at each grade level.
For a total of $74,730.00, the district can have both of those brand new programs at the Torrington Middle School, utilizing their existing teachers. The training for the new programs will be provided through a grant and through the incredible generosity of Dr. Sally Reis who is offering twenty $1,000.00 scholarships at UCONN, for twenty teachers from Torrington to learn how to be top notch instructors in gifted and talented education.
Dr. O’Brien stated that the budget also maintains their music, athletic, and literacy programs, with no cuts.
Mr. Cavagnero credited those people responsible for the significant achievement of getting the High School fully accredited. He noted that both, the Board of Education and the Board of Finance were both on the same page in terms of the accreditation. Both boards represented the residents of Torrington as responsible, civic leaders in doing their very best for their children and families, as well as their pocketbooks.
Councilwoman Carbone opened the Public Hearing to questions and comments from the public.
Sarah Ammirato, 79 Brass Mill Dam Road, spoke in support of small class sizes and urged the Board of Finance not to cut the proposed budget.
Joe Ammirato, 79 Brass Mill Dam Road, said it was his belief that the proposed budget was necessary for students to continue to move forward. He asked if the $250,000.00 contingency fund in the current budget could be used to offset the out-of-district placement deficit, and, if not, would the Board of Finance consider using this money on the proposed 2008-09 budget increase. In the past, too much money has been taken from textbooks and supplies in order to balance the budget. Recently it’s been said that it might take up to $1 million just to update the textbooks in our district.
Mr. Ammirato noted that other districts have less out-of-district placements
because they provided the services that are needed. These costs continue to rise. Immediate action needs to be taken. The administration and the board must work together to find a solution. He suggested copying a district that has done well.
Members of the Torrington Middle School Student Council, asked the board to keep this program as part of their budget because they do a number of great things for the City of Torrington. They urged the Board of Finance to support their budget.
Marjorie Pettersen, 12 Shirley Road, noted that we were facing tough economic times with the rising cost of gas, food and heating fuel and this will have a huge impact on the school budget. Should the budget be cut, it will be like taking two steps back. If teaching positions are cut, how will be able to improve test scores? She urged the board not to jeopardize the gains they’ve made in the past two years. They currently have excellent programs. Dr. O’Brien has restored their pride.
Emmy Fedor, 55 Twining Farm Lane, student at Torringford Elementary School, stated that approximately 120 4th and 5th graders participate and enjoy the band program and asked the board not to cut the budget.
Wendy Fedor, 55 Twining Farm Lane, stated that before or after school programs are often run by teachers who so graciously volunteer their time for the benefit of the children. She felt that the Upward Bound Program is a great step forward and they cannot afford to lose anything in the proposed budget.
Evelyn Mancuso, 311 Charles Street, noted that her daughter, who is a Junior and plays sports, is currently applying for colleges, and that sports plays an important role in a college application. She urged the Board of Finance not to cut sports from Torrington High School.
Muff Maskovsky, 243 Goshen Road, 1370 said he supported the proposed budget. He noted that the Superintendent, the board, and the staff are attempting to create a well rounded educational program. Gifted students require special attention, drop outs must be saved from making a major life choice, those students who want to study language need opportunities, those students who pursue the arts usually become better citizens. Some people say money won’t improve educational problems, but research studies have proven that academic achievement is directly related to money. District that spend more money for instructional materials have higher academic scores. The typical school district budget is made up of fixed costs which amounts to about 90% of the budget.
It includes staff salaries, fuel and electricity, insurance, local and state mandates, transportation, special education, etc. He suggested having much dialogue before any cuts are made. The stakes are high; the decisions are crucial.
Susan Pelchat, 356 Pumping Station Road, stated that, as a teacher, she has seen the power that supporting children in small groups can have on reading skills, test results and learning in general. Researchers report that the effects of small class sizes in grades K-3 last all the way through high school. Those students are more like to graduate from high school on schedule and less likely to drop out. They are more likely to have enrolled in honors classes and to graduate in the top 10% of the class, and they are more likely to take SAT or ACT exams, indicating that they are more likely to attend college.
Class size in Torrington is still 20-22, some 70% higher than the size recommended in the STAR Report. Perhaps that’s why we have to implement so may corrective programs later on. She urged the Board of Finance to accept the budget as proposed.
Cecilia Petricone, 251 Cardinal Circle, 4th grader, supported small class room sizes. She demonstrated with several photos what a typical class size looks like compared to the same class with an additional ten students. The room would be overcrowded with students, desks, bookbags, etc, and would pose a safety issue as well as a learning deficit for those sitting in the back of the room. She urged the Board not to cut the budget.
Alison Jeannin, 26 Silbro Drive, stated that the town is fighting to maintain a status quo budget when they should be increasing it.
Lucille Paige, 25 Auburn Way, said she was very familiar with the educational budget, the needs, the programs and was advocating the Board of Finance not to make any cuts to the proposed budget. She noted that the budget was sound, reasonable and fiscally responsible. Dr. O’Brien has done a fantastic job by turning the system into one that we can be proud of. She asked that no cuts be made.
Christine Rosa, 2651 Torringford West Street, said they desperately need the Upward Bound Program at the Middle School. Her child is a 6th grader who has lost many instructional hours due to students who interrupt the class. She agreed that they should ask for an increase in the budget.
John Lanczycki, 39 Middle Lane, said he was very much in favor of the budget and was stunned that $74,730.00 was all they could do. As a parent, he is delighted by the joy his children are having at the Torringford Elementary School. He is blessed to have such wonderful people teaching his children.
Beth Michalec, 265 Highland Avenue, teacher for 27 years, stated that the staff has been working very hard and our schools have made great strides. They now fear that positions will be cut. No Child Left Behind has put a burden on our schools. She stated that it’s difficult having 21students in her class and it’s hard to see some children fall through the cracks because they don’t have support services. She noted that the children at Torringford are losing out because the school is not eligible for grants that other schools get. She urged the board not to cut the budget.
George Rolfe, 172 Wedgewood Drive, 2500 thought the board should do as much for the elementary school students as the Middle School students.
Mary Bucaccio, 108 Auburn Way, said she does whatever she can to protect the value of her home, and supporting the Board of Education budget is one way she can do just that. Home buyers look for a good educational system. Thanks to the Board of Finance, the hard work of the Board of Education and the incredibly dedicated teachers, they’ve turned the school system around over the past three years. She felt like the work had just begun and they needed to keep moving forward. She supported the request for the special program, Upward Bound as well as the 6.93% increase. She noted that the Torrington High School Music Program was awarded first place medal in the national competition in Philadelphia. She also noted that Torrington is one of the only cities in the country to be
awarded as one of the top 100 music programs eight years in a row. Between the Nutmeg Ballet and the nationally recognized music program at the high school, they have the ingredients for a successful downtown revitalization. The 4A’s should be encouraged. She was also in favor of a budget increase especially in the area of summer school programs for 1st and 2nd grades.
Kathy McCoy, 945 Pothier Road, stated that the proposed cuts in education are a threat that may very well affect the academic, behavioral, and social welfare of every child in this town. Many district programs and positions are at risk. Any and all of the proposed cuts may adversely affect the children. With the growing wide range of diverse learners, it becomes imperative that the teacher address how the material is taught so that every student manages to understand the content. This is most effectively implemented within small groups. Situations frequently arise when a student needs intervention. This disrupts learning and requires immediate attention. She was grateful for the valuable support that her daughter, who has considerable disabilities, receives at Torringford. She asked the board to consider the consequences of their actions in eliminating services that will ultimately put their children at risk.
Fiona Cappabianca, 3 Stoneridge Drive, spoke on behalf of the many students in Torrington who do not have anyone to speak for them. She encouraged anyone to take one step in the downtown school...it’s a real eye opener. The principal has been working very hard to effect change. The Upward Bound Program is only a start. Safety has become an issue. Who will be accountable if the principal does not receive the resources needed. Something needs to happen at the Middle School and they need the Board of Finance’s support to make that happen.
Bill Battle, 69 Red Mountain Avenue, said he recently proposed that the Charter Revision consider a binding referendum to vote on the budget. With the class room sizes at Forbes, every child can be aggressive in terms of their own ability. With the size of the class and support the children have, no matter what the level of the child, a child can raise to its own individual level, which is a good thing. This is something that doesn’t exist in all schools and therefore, he totally supported the budget.
Justin McMannus, 281 West Pearl Road, noted that he didn’t have a lot of faith in Torrington’s education system four years ago. He thought they hit rock bottom when he was in high school. Now, he’s proud to say he’s from Torrington, CT. He lives in Torrington, he votes, and he’s happy, and that’s because of the wonderful job Dr. O’Brien and many others have done for the educational system. He didn’t want the school system to fall backwards. Teachers are heros and you have to give them everything in their power to let them do a good job.
Margaret Beecher, 70 Suncrest Court, spoke in support of the TAG Program. She noted that it changed the direction of her son’s life. He has succeeded in something he needed to succeed in, because he’s a bright child, but someone they call an achiever, and he needed some spark to light his fire. The program builds self confidence in children by letting them discover who they are. When she heard Dr. O’Brien was coming to Torrington, she thought the school system was going to go somewhere, and it has. She noted that Dr. O’Brien loves children and is committed to them, and she needs the commitment from the Board of Education as well as the Board of Finance.
Tiffany Bruker, 1229 Winsted Road, Senior at Torrington High School, spoke
in support of the Music and TAG Program. She also supports the 4A’s, (Academic, Arts, Activities, and Athletics) which was introduced to the school in the middle of her sophomore year and became a part of the school mission. T.H.S. is a school of opportunity, but, in order to continue to grow and maintain opportunities for their students, they need the funding. She hoped everyone would think about what the 4A’s truly mean at T.H.S.
T. Dean Tsopanides, 77 Marion Avenue, freshman at T.H.S., noted that budget cuts could remove athletics, such as soccer, baseball, football; things that are really important at T.H.S. He pointed out that his mother is a single mom and it’s difficult for her financially, and he hopes to obtain an athletic scholarship. If the budget is cut, staffing positions would be lost and larger class sizes would be required. He thought the Board of Finance had to understand that they are the future of America. The decisions they make will mold them.
K.C. Carlson, 45 Cherry Road, stated that something had to be done to make the Middle School safer. She didn’t believe that alternative classrooms are what they really needed at the Middle School. They have enough problems with too many children in a class room. Wouldn’t the money be better spent for more staffing and better education for that staff to help handle these problems? It was her belief that more than 40 kids have problems.
Dallas Manson, 3 Blinkoff Court, 445 sophomore at Torrington High School,
said she didn’t think putting kids in a special class would help them because they tend to cling together.
Collin Good, 642 Charles Street, urged the Board of Finance to support the budget because they had the support of the people.
Tom Latoseh, 54 East Hill Road, sophomore at Torrington High School, pointed out that textbooks from the 1980's are falling apart. Dr. O’Brien is very supportive of all students and he thinks she’s moving in the right direction. He also noted that the 4A’s do work.
Patricia Manson, 3 Blinkoff Court, noted that, if the city was able to pay $11,500.00 for two classes toward a Master’s Degree for the Mayor and his assistant, they should be able to pay for our children’s education. She also asked if the school district has taken into consideration more transportation costs as the new driving laws call for all licensed drivers under 18 not to have other teenagers in the car.
Melody Latimer, 156 High Street, noted that both of her children have special needs and is afraid that any budget cut would affect their requirements. She would hate to see one position that her children need so desperately cut from the budget.
Dr. O’Brien assured Ms. Latimer that, if her children need speech and language, they will have it.
Mende Hobson, 125 New Litchfield Street, noted that she was very supportive of this budget and felt that any cuts would be devastating to the children. They may be taking away sports or art that could offer them scholarships which could lead to a great education and career.
Having no further questions or comments, Councilwoman Carbone thanked the Board of Education for their hard work, the Board of Finance for the work ahead of them, and everyone in the audience for attending. She called the Public Hearing to a close.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mrs. Pesce, seconded by Mr. Bushka, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 9:15 p.m.
ATTEST: JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
| 
