TO READ ABOUT A PREVIOUS REFERENDUM OF THE SCHOOL BUDGET...To read about how the full budget process works, click HERE.

AS TIME HAS GONE BY, THE SCHOOLS AND THE TOWN MAKE SURE TO HAVE ALL BUDGET-RELATED MEETINGS ON TOWN TV (Oct. 2009)
Board of Education schedules workshops at Weston Public Library (Tuesday it was on Channel 79  see non-LWV report here (LWV of Weston does not endorse any opinions found at sites other than its own).
UNOFFICIAL AGENDA:
There are three workshops scheduled, covering the below listed topics (all at Weston Library Community Room):  NOTE:  Please refer to the Weston FORUM for the details of each night's review--long articles on each session during the weeks Dec. 30, Jan. 6 and next week--Jan. 13.  THESE ARTICLES ARE EXACTLY WHAT WAS DISCUSSED AT MEETINGS BELOW.

#1  Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at 7pm, the overall budget is reviewed, including:

#2  Wednesday,January 5, 2005, also at 7pm, the budgets for each of the schools will be reviewed individually  The order of review is listed as: #3  Thursday, January 6, 2005, at an early morning meeting (8am) the Special Education, Athletics and some other areas will be covered.  Specifically:  * PLEASE NOTE:
IF SCHOOL IS DELAYED 2 HOURS/or CLOSED, THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 10:30 A.M.


FY2004-2005 Report on First Quarter;  Discussion of Budget Projections for the Coming Year...
Weston Board of Finance meets in Special Session November 18, 2004, 8pm, in the Commission Room at Town Hall;  Report on Re-Issuance of Town Bonds.  Tax Collector will be present to discuss "Suspense List."
This is NOT an official budget document...DEMOCRACY IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT!
From the FY'04 (2005-2006) Budget Process:  dates of meetings and other deadlines for the upcoming fiscal year... ---------------------
REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER...REALLY OLDER REPORTS:

In the current budget, FY'03, extra help came from...
League of Women Voters, who sponsored Town TV Channel (#79 as of Dec. 2002) with a contribution after broadcast of "Speak Up 2002"...
And why?  Because only Town TV Channel, from Town Hall Meeting Rooms, is equipped to go live and rebroadcast meetings of general interest to Weston public.  First on May 4, then on May 8, Town Channel staff showed live the Board of Education going through its budget item by item...comment from Selectman present (regarding how the Board of Selectmen, Finance and Education should work together)" on May 8--"...cooperation not conflict..."  Will FY '03 budget include money to pay staff to cover meetings on the Town Channel, or will it continue to be contribution-stimulated, a "volunteer" effort...IF SO, WILL THERE BE AN ORGANIZED EFFORT MADE BY THE TOWN TO FIND AND ENCOURAGE MORE TRAINED VOLUNTEERS TO COME FORWARD?

From earlier Budget Processes...
ATBM, April 16 in W.H.S. Auditorium
Only 223 voters show up for Annual Town Budget Meeting.  Many questions about points in the Selectmen's Budget.  Secret ballot proposal for School Budget only.  Vote on motion for this fails, 117-106. 

BOARD OF FINANCE DELIBERATION MEETING:  April 4, 2002, 8pm, Town Hall Commission Room
Board of Finance takes a big swing at Board of Education Budget.  Cuts $625,000 unanimously, and then on a 5-2 vote, increases the damage to a total $800,000.  It is believed to be, however, less than this amount in reality, because some proposals are now in the Capital Budget, and not in the Board of Education requests;  insurance increases in Selectmen's Budget cause an upward movement of $197,000 in "Town Side" of budget FY'03...angry education advocates leaving the meeting look to over-ride this action and restore cut...can this be done?  Not at ATBM.

NOTE: Thursday, April 4, the Board of Selectmen voted to increase their budget by $197,000 at 7:30pm, and the Board of Finance added that Selectmen's change to the budget it considered an hour later and approved, sending the new number to April 16th's ATBM.


BOARD OF FINANCE PUBLIC HEARING, March 26, 2002
With a Co-President and Board Members present, League observed this major opportunity for public comment on FY03 Budget.  In an uneventful 32 minute Public Hearing, a total gross budget of $43,196,795 received comment from two French language high school students asking for a fourth year course; a citizen asking about the 98% collection assumption (when we actually collect 99%) on property tax;  high school and middle school PTO statement of support (which called the suggestion made previously of a $700,000 reduction in the education budget "irresponsible");  argument for team teaching.  The First Selectman (speaking in favor of the Board of Selectmen's budget--new program government access television) pointed out that the Town's investments are down and the increase in the Grand List is lower than in recent years--and our "bank account" is at $3.4 million (only $200,000 above a prudent reserve to ensure a AAA bond rating).

Speaking for the Board of Education, the Acting Superintendent of Schools went through that $32,160,245 budget. 



BOARD OF FINANCE SPECIAL BUDGET (INTERIM) MEETING
Special Board of Finance interim meeting, March 14, 2002, 8pm-9:30pm;  6 members present plus Chair and Vice Chair of Board of Education, plus Finance Director for Bd. of Ed., also Budget Review Committee principal and advisor;  LWV of Weston Co-President.

Board of Finance asked questions regarding (in the sense of seeking clarification from School Financial Director) Education budget;  indicated that they might contact Education Department and Board further, possibly seeking more in-depth explanation directly applicable to Weston re:  "TEAM TEACHING" proposal;  ten (10) questions asked...


BOARD OF FINANCE SECOND AND FINAL NIGHT OF REVIEW - Feb. 27, 2002:
Second hand reports from those in attendance noted that the TV coverage was not there, and neither was the crowd.  Potential for cuts exist, but will the Board make these after the Public Hearing on March 26, 2002 at 8pm in W.M.S. - what impact will Select Committee on Budget Review have had?

BOARD OF FINANCE BEGINS REVIEW OF BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET- FIRST NIGHT, Feb. 26, 2002:
At the first of two and possibly three nights of review, Board of Finance members questioned how employees are paid, how employees are instructed to respond to questions, and generally, whether or not future increases are being built into the Education Budget beyond what can be expected when the new, "3-4-5" building is completed.  In this long first meeting, (8pm until after 11pm [League Observers were present for almost all but 15 minutes]) the Board of Finance hammered away at which areas of this budget indicated future growth centers:
  • "team teaching" at the Middle School (3 new teachers added this year); discussion of what constitutes "real" teaming (5 teachers per 115 appox. students)
  • introduction of what appears to be another layer of supervision ("department head" mentors)
  • increasing standards by reducing existing ratios of students to specialists (i.e. nurses, monitoring safety)
  • schoolbus service and routing--explanation by Chair. that having all the schools in one place means inefficient service delivery;  25% ridership at High School.
  • topic of what happens when student population numbers take a dive (but will this happen?)...
  • Board of Finance questions Board of Education methodology for their presentation--not consistent from year to year, thus making analysis (our word) Enron-like.

    • BOARD OF FINANCE reviews the Board of Selectmen's budget (Feb. 20);  notes that more discussion will take place re:  Capital expenses and Debt Service.

    Feb. 8, 8pm-11pm (?)
    The Board of Selectmen approved the First Selectman's Budget and the Capital Budget, suggesting a $700,000 deduction to the Board of Finance--and generally, seeking a realignment of how the budget is arranged.  Clarity (or better "visibility") is the aim.

    Feb. 8, 2002 (9am-10:45am)
    Capital Planning Committee approves $1,119,000 for Capital Budget for FY'03--$528,000 for Town, $591,000 for School related projects;  Board of Selectmen must then act upon this request at Special Meeting Friday, Feb. 8 at 8pm in Town Hall.  This comes to 3.7% for capital items of the total budget for FY'03, rather than what had been proposed by the First Selectman--2.8%.  Nasty tone to discussion regarding impact of ignoring the needs of Hurlbutt for as long as they have been ignored (since@1996-7).

    Feb. 7, 2002 (7:30pm-11pm approx.)
    In a marathon meeting, the Board of Selectmen took care of a number of items--appointments to Commission for the Arts and Library Board, property Tax Refunds...and then launched into a long overhead projector presentation of the Education Budget for FY'03.  The overhead text is available by e-mailing the League of Women Voters of Weston (10pp).  At 10:55pm, after a recess to empty the room of Board of Education employees, Board and others interested only in education budget, the First Selectman's Budget was approved (as proposed, we think--$7,686,190)--discussion of disputed items re: increased use of Town van and publication not approved.  An executive session followed.

    Feb. 6, 2002 (7:30pm to 10:45pm) - First Selectman presents budget to Board of Selectmen;  figures below come from the Office of the First Selectman, 2/6/02, 12noon.
    Below is a representation of a table from the First Selectman's Budget showing changes year-to-year by section of the budget document;  this is the starting point for the Budget Process FY'03...after the first night, 2/6, some lines perhaps need further review...discussion of reduction in reserves/General Fund from $7 million to $3.4 million in the last few years--"subsidy" of budget;  slowing of automobile revenues.
    TOWN OF  WESTON  BUDGET  HISTORY
     
    FY01
    FY02
    FY03
    $$change FY02-FY03
    %change FY02-FY03
    Board of Selectmen*
    7,121,760
    7,343,974
    #7,686,190
    #539,037
    #7.33%
    Board of Education
    27,951,681
    30,606,368
    ##32,160,245
    ##793,877
    ##2.46%
    Capital Improvement Budget; action of Capital Planning Committee**;  final #
    860,833
    736,655
    744,000 - as presented to the Board of Selectmen;  at the Capital Planning Committee, 1,119,000; and as the Selectmen approved it, 1,221,051
    7,345(?)
    1.00%(?)
    Debt Service
    2,187,113
    1,993,425
    2,229,488
    236,063
    11.84%
    Total Gross Budget
    38,121,387
    40,680,422
    42,819,923?
    2.139,501?
    ??5.26%
    Less: Revenues
    3,335,817
    3,001,000
    2,959,699
    (41,301)
    -1.38%
    Total Net Budget
    34,785,570
    37,679,422
    39,860.224?
    2.180,802?
    ???5.79%
    Grand List
    1,671,899,426
    1,714,880,274
    1,752,607,640
    37,727,366
    2.20%
    Mill rate@98% collect.
    21.23
    22.42
    *23.30
    *0.88
    *3.93%
    Source:  First Selectman's Budget, from the Office of the First Selectman - THIS WEBPAGE IS NOT OFFICIAL - NUMBERS MAY DIFFER!!!  AND ARE NOT CONFIRMED AS ACCURATE--unusual year with increase prior to Board of Finance action as well as cut in Education Budget...when things settle out, League will correct any mistakes in this table.
    *  =  request disputed by Human Services and Commission for the Elderly "department" heads - wanted money for publication, more than 3% increase.
    ** = not finished review process by the time First Selectman presented his budget (first evening).  See above for report of 9am meeting Friday, Feb. 8 of the Capital Planning Committee.
    # = $7,883,011 - $197,000 added prior to vote by Board of Finance
    ## = $31,360,245 after $800,000 cut by Board of Finance
    * = mill rate numbers with changes reflected from end of process.


     

    In red below is indicated what happened at the Board of Finance "deliberation meeting"  2001. The table following also shows a three (3) year comparison of budgets approved at the ANNUAL TOWN BUDGET MEETINGS--including the April 10, 2001 event--after 2001 Referendum on operating budget, no changes were made--70% voted to leave budget as ATBM approved it:
    Town of Weston, Connecticut...a recent
    B U D G E T   H I S T O R Y

     
    FY'00
    FY'01
    FY'02
    $change01-02
    %change01-02
    BOARD OF SELECTMEN.
    $6.920,894
    $7,121,760
    $7,339,734
    $217,694
    3.06%
    BOARD OF EDUCATION
    $24,897,747
    $28,951,681
    $31,106,368  now $30,606,368
    (unanimous cut of $500,000;  $300,000 suggested from insurance and $200,000 from staff because staff increased at a higher rate than pupil enrollment)
    $3,154,687
    ($2,654,687)
    11.29%
    (now at 9.5% approximately)
    CAPITAL
    IMPROVEMENT
    $709,215
    $860,833
    $$736,665
    ($124,178)
    -14.43%
    DEBT
    SERVICES
    $2,254,613
    $2,187,113
    $1,993,425
    ($193,688)
    -8.86%
    TOTAL GROSS
    BUDGET
    $34.782,469
    $38,121,387
    $41,176,182 (now$40,680,422)
    $3,054,795
    8.01%
    LESS:
    REVENUES
    $3,200,768
    $3,335,817
    $3,001,000
    ($334,817)
    -10.04%
    TOTAL NET
    BUDGET
    $31,581,701
    $34,785,570
    $38,175,182
    $3,389,612
    9.74%
    GRAND
    LIST 
    $1,308,565,496
    $1,671,899,426
    $1,714,880,274
    $42,980,848
    2.57%
    MILL RATE @ 98% COLLECTION
    24.64
    21.23 (reval)
    22.72
    1.48 (changed to a lower number)
    6.99%
    (now 5.59%
    increase)
    SOURCE:  Town of Weston Budget ATBM Packet (2001-2002) available at Town Clerk's Office

    Previously...
    Machine vote Tuesday, April 24, 2001 (6am to 8pm), upholds decision of Annual Town Budget Meeting;  see below for history in recent years of ATBM results.

    Weston Budget Process Ends for 2001: Annual Town Budget Meeting Tuesday, April 10 approved all parts of FY02 budget;  Non-Binding Referendum on School Budget did not change result of ATBM; 70% in favor of school budget...
    At the "deliberation" meeting March 29, a unanimous Board of Finance cut $500,000 from School Budget--$300,000 from insurance (will be replaced during the year as needed)...
    A TURNING POINT...Note numerical results of Nov. 15, 2001 Referendumon school-town construction - 4125votes cast (more than approx. 65%turnout - including "Grand List" voters): 60% 'Yes' on item#1, 54%'Yes' on item#2 (new lower middle school) and 55% 'Yes' on item#3 (middle school auditorium)...
    As was noted in the comment at the top of this page, for the first time, Westonites held a referendum on the school budget and the difference between the open and private votes taken was less than one might have expected!  At ATBM, in the open, 72% favored the school budget (no cut)--behind the curtain and on a machine, it was 70% feeling the same way.  Turnout was the biggest difference...fully one third of qualified voters expressed an opinion at the Referendum (about 2000 people- about a third) where just under 600 attended ATBM...FY'02 Budget Process is history...Complaints were made about how the budget is displayed (only "proposed" not "actual" data--to compare what was REALLY spent on the "Town" side)--always room for improvement!