by Susan MacEachron

First Selectman Matt Riiska reported that all is well with the town’s current finances at the Board of Finance (BoF) meeting on March 9.   Chairman Michael Sconyers said the Botelle School budget would be the focus of the meeting, but the BoF would return to a review of the selectmen’s budget at the April 13 meeting. 

John DeShazo, Board of Education finance committee chair, began by noting that Botelle has been open for in-class instruction for the full year but accommodated a few children who requested remote learning.  At this time last year, the school board expected 68-72 children in pre-K through sixth grade, but the year began with 84 students enrolled as a result of pandemic-driven relocations.  DeShazo said some students have departed and currently 75 students are enrolled.  In a follow-up, Superintendent Iacobelli said there are 11 sixth graders graduating this year and two pre-K students entering, for a potential net decrease of nine students.

In presenting the budget details, DeShazo noted that although the proposed budget of $2,456,256 is an increase of 0.6 percent, the current year budget was reduced by 1 percent over what had been proposed last year.  Sconyers noted that the 0.67 percent increase was $16,256 and asked DeShazo what they would cut if they were not allowed to increase the budget.  DeShazo said the board had discussed that possibility and the only option would be to reduce the hours devoted to the arts and music.   He emphasized the enrichment provided to the students from these activities and said he “would hate to see them go”.  

DeShazo said the school had entered into a contract with EdAdvance to provide all cafeteria services.   He said that while it was more expensive “it was necessitated by the ever-increasing number of regulations and protocols we must follow.”  The net increase is approximately $15,000.  BoF member, Nina Ritson, mentioned that the Botelle PTO had established a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and donations would support cultural programs for the students.  

The budget includes contractual salary increases of 3 percent, but the impact is mitigated by a reduction in staff due to different classroom distributions.  Regular education direct cost is $665,991 and the special education direct cost is $531,823.  The other significant items in the budget are: employer provided benefits ($316,748), support services and school administration ($195,752), operations and maintenance ($221,173), superintendent’s office and executive administration ($163,285) and student transportation ($149,550).

Sconyers said he didn’t think the selectmen would have a final budget by the April meeting, but he hoped the BoF could put together a budget to present to the town at a budget hearing and he asked Riiska to comment on whether there would be a town meeting.  Riiska said that some towns are planning to hold meetings outdoors and he noted that Norfolk has a lot on its plate and he would like to find a way to hold a town meeting to discuss the budget.  Sconyers agreed that would be a good idea.