Private School Busing off the Table This Year

Administrators, parents, students and supporters of private schools in town — mostly from Kingswood-Oxford and Solomon Schechter Day School — packed the room Wednesday night at a Town Council public hearing on the 2011-2012 proposed town budget. They were ready to advocate for retaining town funding for busing for private schools. A private school student stood in the back holding up a sign that read: “Do not take our buses away.”

 Mayor Scott Slifka stopped the advocates in their tracks and assured them that funds for transporting students to private schools were not cut this year.

 Slifka said that town funding for private school buses is required by state law. But the question remains how much the town is required to pay for private transportation per student. It is under discussion — not for 2011-2012 but for 2012-2013 — said council member Leon Davidoff.  It will be a continuing dialogue, said Slifka.

With that, half the crowd left the hearing, satisfied that cuts would not be enacted in this year’s budget.

The dozen speakers remaining all spoke out against the proposed budget, with many arguing against tax increases. The budget would translate into a 4.6 percent tax rate increase. Town Manager Ron Van Winkle has said there were several factors driving the increase: wages, pension costs and health care costs. The town must also make up for a loss of federal funding in the school system budget. Educational costs account for 58 percent of the overall town budget.

George Kennedy, speaking on behalf of the West Hartford Taxpayers Association, said, “We simply can’t afford to sustain any property tax increases.”

Several residents raised objections about the assessment process. They said their concerns have not been addressed by the council.

Nancy Grassilli, who has resided in West Hartford for 40 years and owns rental property in town, said she is worried about the “long-term value of real estate” in the town.  She also owns rental properties in Farmington, where she said taxes are more stable.

Her renters in West Hartford would typically become homeowners in the Morley School district. Today, they are buying homes in Farmington, Avon and Simsbury, she said, because they feel “West Hartford is not the best value. That worries me.”

Ted Bistor of Trout Brook Drive commented, “Simply put, I can’t afford more taxes,” and added that he believes the process of preparing the budget is flawed. “Budgets should be more income driven, not expense driven,” he said.

Speaker Jeff Digel proposed outsourcing jobs to the private sector. Digel suggested the private sector could provide outsourced arrangements, such as custodial services, at a greatly reduced cost.

Gary Muldoon said he believes the salaries and benefits of West Hartford town employees are high compared with those in the private sector. “We need to get a good look at the future for pensions and benefits.”

Another public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Monday, April 11, 2 p.m., in Room 314 at Town Hall.