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Published: December 25, 2004 Publication: New Haven Register By: Michael Gannon Click here for the original article Now that the state’s education cost-sharing cap has expired, Hamden and more than 90 other school districts may finally be fully financed under state guidelines. Superintendent of Schools Alida Begina will present her budget request for 2005-06 to the Board of Education’s Finance Committee Jan. 12, but she said Friday that final numbers for several big-ticket items are still up in the air, and none more so than state aid. "It’s very difficult to say," Begina said about forecasting the numbers. "What’s interesting is that at this minute, the cap has been lifted. So now the state will have to fund us according to the formula, reinstate the cap or change the formula." Caps on annual increases in state aid were placed on the districts seven years ago. Hamden school and government officials estimate that the town has lost about $42 million in education funds that it would have received had they been financed according to the original formula. Begina said she hopes to receive the proper amount, which this year would work out to $6 million to $7 million. "That could mean between 2 and 3 mills on the tax rate," she said. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the Board of Education’s administration building, 60 Putnam Ave. The snow date is Jan. 18. The Finance Committee will meet Jan. 19 for budget deliberations, and again Jan. 26 for a public hearing, followed by more deliberations. The superintendent said other costs that are not firmed up include the district’s self-insurance health plan. Begina said she is estimating about a 10 percent hike in premiums, though the numbers will be firmer after their monthly meeting with Anthem/Blue Cross in January. Also still outstanding is the final cost for new fifth- and sixth-grade social studies textbooks that are being phased in. The district did receive a small break last week when an arbitration panel found in the board’s favor in a dispute over raises for the new teachers contract. Begina said she would like to reinstate many of the people and items cut out of this year’s budget, which the Legislative Council set more than $3 million below the school board’s request. She would like to reinstate a fourth teaching team at the middle school and return six librarian/media specialists to full-time status. But Alice Peck Elementary School, which was shut down in September, won’t reopen as an elementary school. Begina instead is likely to recommend using it for a school-readiness program for preschool students.  |
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