SOUTHWICK – The Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional school committee held their budget hearing after their regular meeting on Tuesday night in the Powder Mill School cafeteria. Superintendent Jen Willard gave a presentation about the school district’s proposed FY (Fiscal Year) 19 budget.
For the FY19 budget, the district is asking for $24,873,518, which is a 1.39% increase from last year’s FY18 budget that totaled $24,532,362. According to Steve Presnal, who is the school district’s business manager, the average increase in budgets across Massachusetts is usually two or three percent.
Superintendent Jen Willard. (WNG File Photo)
Willard began the presentation by going over the budget’s educational initiatives. They focused on continuing a reduced class size for kindergarten thru second grade, increasing professional development, investing in technology, and increasing instructional coaching positions.
Having the small class sizes remain at a steady number is certainly something Willard wants to see.
If we can keep our class sizes at 15 or 16 for k-2, that’s ideal,” said Willard.
Recently, the district received a $223,000 grant from the state to use towards improving their infrastructure at all three schools. The money will allow each building to have more wireless access points at certain areas that need them. The grant will also give the district the opportunity to educate their teachers and staff on the upgrades.
“With that we can provide professional development around technology,” said Willard. “If you expect people to use something that’s new, you need to give them the training.”
During the presentation, it was also pointed out that there was a decrease in Out of District Vocational Tuitions, and in special education tuitions. As a result of those decreases, the district was able to create three more teaching positions.
Now, the district will bring this to the next school committee meeting on April 3 for a vote. If it’s passed, the budget will go to the annual town meeting in May.
