Superintendent to Present Budget Proposal Tonight

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen List will present her budget proposal for the 2011-12 school year at a meeting of the Board of Education, which starts at 7 p.m. at .

West Hartford, according to the superintendent's office, ranked 113th out of 169 municipalities for per-pupil spending for the 2009-2010 school year.

"Our budget is $11.4 million lower than what it could be if we spent at the statewide average per pupil expenditure," List said in a statement that is available on the West Hartford Public Schools website.

List also said 15 teaching posts, 1.5 administrative jobs, and 60 other full- and part-time positions have been eliminated in the last four budgets.

The added challenge for 2011-12 is the expiration of funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which had provided for $3.36 million in teacher salaries this year.

"Those expenses will come back to the general fund in 2011-12," List said.

Medical expenses are also a concern. In 2000-2001, the school system paid about $5 million in health claims. For 2011-12, it is projecting a medical claim cost of almost $24 million.

The West Hartford Education Association has already accepted a hard freeze on salaries for the 2011-2012 budget year.

"We will work hard to maintain the programs and services the citizens of West Hartford have come to expect and value in a high quality school system, while crafting the lowest budget increase possible," List said.