Meeting Between Boards of Finance, Education Canceled

Update: Tuesday, Feb. 26 — 1:38 p.m.

The meeting scheduled for tonight has been canceled, according to Mathew Hepfer, the district's technology director. 

According to the Board of Education's website, the next scheduled meeting of the school board is Thursday, March 7. 

Original article:

The Wilton Board of Education is set to respond tonight to questions posed by the town's financiers in regards to the proposed 2013-2014 budget.

Earlier this month, the Board of Finance submitted to the school board a list of questions so as to get a better handle on what part of the school budget is discretionary spending and what part is mandated. 

Last month, Dr. Gary Richards, superintendent of schools, proposed a 4.39 percent budget increase, which if approved would have sent the budget for Wilton's schools up $3.3 million to $77.3 million. The initial increase has since been whittled to 3.83 percent, bringing the 2013-2014 budget request to $76.9 million.

When the Boards of Education and Finance met earlier this month, financier Al Alper said he felt as though the tax rate in Wilton is putting the town "in a death spiral," noting the school budget has more than doubled since he moved to town in 2001. 

But school board Chairman Bruce Likly said the schools are the town's best asset, and it's a balancing act to make sure they remain competitive with neighboring districts. 

The meeting will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the professional library at Wilton High School.