SOUTHWICK – After house numbers, the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional Schools budget still has a gap of more han $100,000.
Superintendent John Barry and Business Manager Stephen Presnal gave a brief overview of the budget yesterday during a joint meeting of the regional school committee and member towns.
Presnal said after receiving state numbers, Southwick’s assessment increased to 3.25-percent, Tolland’s to 5.63-percent, and Granville’s to 2.67-percent.
The buget is still a work in progress and is based on level service, with decreases to each school building budget except the high school because of grade reconfiguration.
Presnal said the high school has the largest budget with the inclusion of grades seven and eight. Woodland School’s budget decreased because two grades moved to powder Mill, and Granville Village School’s budget also decreased with the move of grades seven and eight. `
The energy budget increased by an expected $180,000.
“We are at the conclusion of a five-year arrangement that has advantageous gas rates, and our electric contract is also up,” said Presnal.
Barry said there are no new positions in the budget but there is a differential for a data management position.
“There aren’t any drastic changes in class size,” said Barry. “It’s really trying to do next year what we’ve done this year with new grade configurations.”
Barry said he and Presnal would work with the committee to close the shortfall. Southwick Board of Selectmen Chairman Russell Fox asked about the formation of a study group to research the possible closing of the Granville Village School and whether or not it would be advantageous to close the building.
Granville Selectman Richard Woodger interjected and said Granville was told the school would remain open when it joined the district.
Barry clarified that a five-year plan for the district was created and does not include closing the former K-8 school. This fall, the seventh and eighth grade students from Granville will become part of the new 7-12 school on the Southwick campus.
Barry noted he believes the district has done “a pretty good job including Granville” and said that while in the past Southwick approached Granville to join the district, “they came to us this time.”
“I’m glad they did,” added Barry. “I think it’s a good move.”
