Saturday, May 24, 2003
The board also approved a list of cuts if the levy fails.
By MARY R. SMITH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MINERAL RIDGE -- The Weathersfield school board voted to place a 9.5-mill, five-year emergency levy on the Nov. 4 ballot.
If passed, it would generate $919,360 annually.
In case it fails, the board also approved a list of permanent cuts to be initiated in the 2004-05 school year that will save $723,804.
A 1 percent income tax levy on the May 6 ballot failed with only 1,100 voters turning out to register their opinion. It would have generated $860,000 per year.
Weathersfield schools Superintendent Rocco Adduci said, "Hopefully we do get an angry community and they come out to vote" on the November issue. Adduci said he did not want to make the cuts.
School Treasurer Angela Lewis told the board and residents she is projecting a surplus of $500,000 this year, but said that next year expenditures will exceed revenues by $460,000. Board President Deborah Maust said, "We will be in the same situation forever and ever if we don't do something now. & quot;
If the levy fails, the cuts approved will include a net loss of six teachers, six bus drivers, a bus mechanic and a cafeteria worker.
Other proposed cuts include:
Eliminating busing for grades 9-12 and Kindergarten-8 inside two miles; six bus drivers and one bus mechanic; estimated savings, $167,371.
Eliminating one cafeteria position at the high school; estimated savings, $15,837.
Implement a $100 one-time activity fee per year, regardless of the number of activities, to participate in the following: football, basketball, baseball or softball, track or cross country, volleyball, cheerleading, band, danceline or flagline. For an estimated 400 students at $100 a year, $40,000 would be generated.