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STAMFORD, Conn. Interim Superintendent Winfred Hamilton is looking for an increase of just less than $8 million in her 2012-13 requested operating budget for Stamford schools. The increase is about 3.49 percent above this years budget, she said.
Were a lean, efficient, operating system, Hamilton said of the school district. She will present the budget to the Board of Education on Tuesday night.
Hamiltons budget is the second smallest percentage increase in the past decade, district statement said. The budget requested by former Superintendent Joshua Starr for 2010-11 was a 1.96 percent increase but was supplemented by a large General Electric grant, Hamilton said.
About 96 percent of the proposed budget is made up in fixed costs and contractual obligations, such as salaries, benefits and student transportation, the statement said. Through a variety of staff-identified efficiencies, Hamilton reduced the budget by $2.48 million without eliminating programs or services and by proposing some additions.
One new program would be a summer school for students entering kindergarten and first grade. Hamilton said some students do not have the vocabulary and early education necessary for school and therefore are behind other students. She said providing additional help at an earlier stage would cut the achievement gap.
They get to see school is fun, Hamilton said of the children, who may be in a school environment for the first time. Currently, about 79 percent of Stamford students enter school with a prekindergarten education, said Judy Singer, director of research for the district.
The public will have its first chance to comment on the proposed budget Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. at Westover Magnet School.
Hamiltons slideshow presentation to the board can be found on-line.
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