Ellington Board of Education Approves Slight Budget Increase

ELLINGTON, CT — Town education officials have approved a $41.6 million budget request for the 2021-22 academic year, which will now be submitted to the Board of Finance for further discussion.

At its Feb. 10 meeting, the Board of Education adopted a budget of $41,633,751, an increase of $1,017,715 over the current year, or 2.51 percent.

The adopted budget was a result of a reduction of $353,472 from the original proposed budget, drawing primarily from cuts to the medical insurance line item and a reorganization of library media, technology integration, enrichment and gifted and talented programs. The net effect of all board adjustments reduced the budget impact by 0.87 percent, officials said.

Superintendent of Schools Scott Nicol said the reorganization would not result in any job losses, as one position is currently vacant and a 0.6 full-time equivalency (FTE) teacher would be shifted to a 1.0 FTE position elsewhere in the district.

"We're very proud that our budget moves priorities of the board forward and does not include any cuts that would cause any teachers to lose their job, especially in this trying time," Nicol said.

"The bipartisan effort put forth by the Ellington Board of Education is a wonderful example of local government putting politics aside for the greater good of their community," Vice Chair Jennifer Dzen said.

Board of Education Chair Michael Purcaro said, "The board's budget reflects our commitment to spending taxpayer dollars wisely and efficiently, with special consideration to meeting the ongoing challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Our budget focuses on teacher effectiveness and student outcomes, as well as enhancing our talented and gifted and enrichment programs for all students."

The approved budget will be submitted for further discussion by the Board of Finance, where it will be combined with the town’s operating, capital and debt budgets. Nicol will present the Board of Education's budget to the Board of Finance on March 16.

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