One question has been asked with Wiltons fiscal year 2012 budget on everyones mind: Will the teachers union talk with the Board of Education about its current contract? The answer is yes, the two sides began informal discussions several weeks ago.
Gil Bray, Board of Education chairman, and Andrew Nicsaji, president of the Wilton Education Association, were contacted for this article and both declined to comment about how the discussions were going and what was being discussed.
Neither [vice chairman of the Board of Education Richard Dubow] nor I can comment on them. I hope you understand, Bray wrote in an email. Similarly, Nicsaji wrote in an email, I have no comment for you now.
Parents, school administrators and students have pushed for keeping as many teachers as possible in the schools. However, in tough economic times everyone wants to limit spending without losing services. Last year, all four town unions in the Board of Selectmen's budget took wage freezes to avoid layoffs.
On March 10, the Board of Education proposed a budget for next year with a 4.66 percent increase, which equals about $3.3 million. Teachers salaries are about $23.5 million, which accounts for about 32 percent of the proposed spending plan.
You can read more about teacher pay
Read what other Fairfield County towns are doing about education spending. Click on the headline:
Westport Teachers Worried About Cutbacks
Budget Cuts May Limit Teachers in Fairfield
Greenwich To Start Teacher Contract Talks Soon
What do you think the Wilton Education Association should do to help the towns budget? Share your thoughts below or e-mail reporter, Anthony Buzzeo, [email protected].
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