WESTPORT -- When it comes to budget reviews, Westport residents should “learn from their elders” -- at least the ones on the the Council on Aging.
These were School Committee member Nancy Stanton-Cross’s words last week in reflection of last May's Town Meeting. She and committee members feel that townspeople do not fully understand the school budget and school officials would like to change that.
The committee agreed last week to hold more budget seminars to help people understand the budget process.
“We can do a little road show or whatever we have to do,” Committee Chairman Antonio Viveiros said. “The folks in town will better be able to make the decisions.”
Stanton-Cross and Business Manager Michelle Rapoza mentioned that school officials last year requested a 2.8 percent budget increase for fiscal 2019 over fiscal 2018. The selectmen and Finance Committee agreed to a 2.3 percent increase, which Town Meeting in May approved.
Stanton-Cross noted that few voters were aware of the discrepancy. She said the Council on Aging were in a similar position but voters connected to the COA knew what was being cut and why.
Voters on Town Meeting floor were educated and able to offer insight from both sides, she and Rapoza both noted.
Stanton-Cross said she would like parents and other school stakeholders to be just as knowledgeable.
"We should learn from our elders,” she said.
New school district Superintendent Gary Reese said he has made it a goal of his to better educate the public about the school district and its budgetary matters.
He said he would like the district to host hands-on budget forums where people can deeper their awareness and knowledge of budgetary matters.
School officials said they would like to submit their budget earlier to the Finance Committee for deliberation. The Finance Committee this year has also asked departments to submit budget requests and totals earlier this year.
Reese said he would like the district to conduct “hands-on” budget forums in March, April and May.
Town Meeting usually occurs in May, setting the next year’s fiscal budget and other matters.
In other school business, the junior/senior high school filled a leadership vacancy. Holbrook mathematics teacher Bryan Oliveira was named the new assistant principal, giving the school a full complement of principals. Oliveira will be mostly in charge of overseeing Grades 7 and 8 at the 7 through 12 school, Reese told the School Committee last week.