Tolland superintendent presents $49 million-plus budget proposal focused on pre-K, safety and MTSS

Tolland — Superintendent Dr. Willett presented the Tolland School District’s superintendent’s proposed budget during the Jan. 7 Board of Education meeting, describing a proposal that the superintendent characterized as “about 49,000,000, 039, and 778” and “11.8% as presented to you.” The presentation outlined new positions and programs intended to implement priorities the board set at its Nov. 20 meeting: a full-day pre-kindergarten program for 4‑year‑olds, expansion of the district’s pathways program, strengthened school safety and security (including additional school resource officers), and increased multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for students.

The proposal was informational; the board did not take a formal vote on the superintendent’s budget at the Jan. 7 meeting. Dr. Willett said the proposal preserves current staffing levels and adds resources intended to begin the priorities approved in November. “We took the base, and added to it the initiatives that were discussed,” Dr. Willett said, noting the budget documents and a…