Sara-Jane Querfeld presented the Board of Education's $42.8 million operating budget for 2008-09 to the Board of Finance during a budget workshop March 1. The budget represents a 6.5 percent increase over last year.

The budget, approved by the Board of Education on Feb. 14, shows a 3.45 percent increase in teacher salaries, a 1.02 percent increase in special education costs, a .17 increase in transportation and a 1.37 percent increase in contracted services and utilities. All other education increases in the budget total .75 percent.

Querfeld, the superintendent of schools, said her budget priorities include the addition of four seventh-grade teachers at North Haven Middle School. She said the district lost six teachers to budget cuts two years ago and the school has been compensating by using split teaching teams. She said filling those teaching spots is a necessity because seventh-grade class sizes will rise to more than 31 students per teacher in the fall.

"It would be very difficult to accommodate the students with the split teams," Querfeld said.

In regards to the budget's special education increase, Querfeld said the school system is budgeted for 44 special education students, but 10 additional special education students have moved into the district during the school year. She said the increase in students and unfunded state mandates are creating a financial burden for the district.

"We are definitely running short this year," she said. "We cannot control the mandates."

Michael Hallahan, a member of the Board of Finance, asked Querfeld about the special education budget and how the school system accommodates for those shortfalls. Querfeld said the only alternative is to freeze other accounts.

"It is not good practice and I don't like being in that situation," Querfeld said.

Another increase in the budget is the program development line item, which has jumped 146 percent, or $4,800, over last year's budget.

Querfeld called the increase considerable, citing the need for staff to update the curriculum during the summer as well as technology training for teachers.

"If we don't keep teachers trained they will not be able to perform as well," she said." We are trying to have all things necessary to assure student success."

Querfeld said increases in the Police and Fire Department line items were due to more sporting events held during evening hours that require coverage and also noted ground maintenance fees have risen to $320,000.

"This is the bottom line," she said. "This is what we need."

The proposed $300,000 capital plan includes a new roof for North Haven Middle School at a cost of $150,000 and an additional $150,000 for information technology equipment including computers and a fiberoptic line connection between Board of Education headquarters on Linsley Street and North Haven High School on Elm Street.

Business Manager Ed Gomeau said many elementary school computers the teachers use are more than 10 years old and are in need of replacement. He added that any computer upgrades would be a townwide effort.

"Whatever we are doing we are going to do together with the town," he said. "There is efficiency in doing that."

Querfeld said she took a conservative approach with this year's budget and the Board of Education approved the proposal without any reductions.

"There is nothing left but bare instruction," she said.

Jerry Feinberg, a member of the Board of Education, echoed Querfeld's assessment of the proposal.

"The budget is consistent with the town administration's policy and it is important that the needs of the school system are recognized," he said.

Dean Volain, chairman of the Board of Finance, noted a tight budget season and said the board will assess the needs of the school system.

"We have a very difficult task at hand," he said.