Join the discussion.

Inklings News

Join the discussion.

Inklings News

Join the discussion.

Inklings News

Board of Education talks budget

John+Klinge%2C+a+member+of+the+Representative+Town+Meeting%2C+shares+his+opinion+on+the+Health+Insurance+Fund+Review+Committee.
Alexa Di Luca
John Klinge, a member of the Representative Town Meeting, shares his opinion on the Health Insurance Fund Review Committee.

On Jan. 6 at 7:30 p.m. the Board of Education (BOE) meeting attracted parents and members of the Westport community due to the current deficit of approximately $2 million. The main topics of the night included an update and action plan for the 2013-14 budget and a proposal for the Superintendent’s 2014-15 budget.

Elaine Whitney, chair of the BOE, proposed that a five member Health Insurance Fund Review Committee, composed of three BOE members, one administrator and one community member should be created.

This committee would confirm the $2 million deficit, assess the cause, make recommendations and form a comprehensive report. Whitney added that they would have public posted meetings, structured as work meetings to enforce “input and feedback,” but would have the choice to incorporate public comment into their meetings.

John Klinge, a member of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), argued that because the majority of this committee is comprised of the BOE, it would skew the input. Klinge noted that he is in favor of “having more external input opposed to internal.”

However the proposal passed with a unanimous vote. Whitney appointed BOE members Brett Aronow, Karen Kleine and Paul Block as well as Director of School Business Operations Elio Longo to the committee. The community member has yet to be appointed.

Following, Landon explained his proposal for his 2014-15 budget by addressing that there would be a 6.5% total increase. Health insurance in the budget represents 2.2% of this increase, or $750,000. Landon justified this addition by explaining that this will allow a “margin of safety that we haven’t had in the past.”

The next BOE meeting will take place this Friday at 8:30 am in the Westport Public Library.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover
About the Contributor
Alexa Di Luca, Staff Writer
Although an only child, Alexa Di Luca ’15 has a love for kids. When not writing an article for Inklings, Di Luca can be found with a tennis racket in one hand and children in the other. During Fall, Spring and Summer, Di Luca spends her extra time teaching kids how to play tennis. Even though she is not on the Staples Wreckers tennis team, she shows her dedication to the sport by working for the Fairfield County Tennis Program. Di Luca aspires to be an Elementary School teacher. She describes children’s energy as a “blissful happiness,” which is why she loves working with them. Inspired by her Horticulture class, Di Luca decided to go vegan last summer. Previously being a vegetarian for four years, she was ready to take the challenge. Di Luca is still trying to keep up with her vegan menu. Currently, Di Luca is an active member of both Kool to Be Kind and the Key Club. She feels it is an important way to stay connected with the Staples community, as well as educating others Aside from tennis and schoolwork, she also has multiple babysitting jobs. Di Luca feels it’s an exciting way to make money because, as she always says, “Kids are just so fun to be around." “Love life, and life will love you back,” is the motto Di Luca lives by. Not only is it an easy quote to remember, but it also pushes her to have a positive outlook on life.  

Comments (0)

All Inklings News Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *