Stoughton Schools Ask For 4.02 Percent Budget Increase

Stoughton Schools Superintendent Dr. Marguerite Rizzi is asking for a 4.02 percent budget increase for next year.

Voting 4-0 the school committee sent a budget of $41,128,051 to the selectmen. Dr. Carol Brown was unavailable to vote, because of the bad weather prevented her from getting to the meeting.

They had until Dec. 31 to submit a budget, and the final total is subject to change as it has to go to through the process of being reviewed before a final figure is submitted.

''The town has always been extremely generous in what they can afford," said Rizzi. 

She said she would be uncomfortable asking for a 10 percent or more increase.

"Ten percent is not reasonable to ask for," said Rizzi. "Any increase is a significant increase. These are perimeters we live in."

Rizzi said she is trying to bring back things that were cut in 2008 that schools have found to be necessary. She is looking to add special education teachers to the budget and a high school guidance counselor, because of the need to expand resources there.

Money is also in the budget for remedial education, transitional kindergarten and for late buses for after-school enrichment. 

Not having the late bus, Rizzi said, would be a "barrier" to students participating.

"The late bus is for anyone who wants to stay for an after-school program," she said. 

Town manager Michael Hartman and Rizzi have been meeting to discuss the budget, and they will be presenting a joint executive budget to town meeting for the first time.