West Hartford board receives $169.1 million budget proposal, sets April vote

Superintendent Tom Moore presented the West Hartford School District’s proposed $169.1 million operating budget for the 2019–20 school year and the Board of Education voted unanimously on March 5 to receive the proposal and begin the formal review and modification process.

The budget packet, which Mr. Moore said reflects district priorities and student opportunities, represents a 2.89 percent increase over the current year. Moore told the board that West Hartford ranks as the ninth-largest school district in Connecticut and outlined next steps: two budget workshops, a public hearing and a final Board vote scheduled for April 2. The proposal was made available online.

Why it matters: the operating budget determines staffing, programs and local spending priorities across the district’s schools. The board set Budget Workshop #1 for Wednesday, March 13, 2019 (Town Hall, room 314), a regular meeting on March 19, a public hearing with Budget Workshop #2 on March 27, and the April 2 meeting for adoption of the Superintendent’s 2019–2020 budget.

The motion to receive the Superintendent’s recommendation was made by Dr. Greenberg and seconded by Mr. Levine; the motion passed unanimously. The board also approved the minutes of the Feb. 20 regular meeting earlier in the session.

Other business and public comments: Student Representative Gus Bacon (Conard) updated the board on Conard High School activities, including National Merit Scholarship finalists and the winter musical “Singin’ in the Rain.” Several residents spoke during public communication in support of the American Field Service (AFS) program: Jamie Cohen, Federico Santini, Cyrine Okbi, Estelle Cohen, Janna Kelly, Amy Pinette and Danica Delgado. Niyah Davis of Cortland Street later spoke about school safety.

The board adjourned at 8:21 p.m. and confirmed upcoming meetings and workshops for the district’s budget review process.