Easton School Board OKs 1.36% Bump

The Easton Board of Education unanimously approved a 1.36 percent increase for the 2013-2014 school budget at its regular meeting earlier this month.

The increase brings the budget request to $15,448,903.

Dr. Bernard Josefsberg, superintendent of schools, initially proposed a 2.29 percent budget increase, but several board members expressed concern they'd like to see that increase come in under two percent. 

Reductions in the district's health insurance expenses, loan repayment to United Illuminating and capital improvement request for window replacement helped bring the increase down. 

Up next, the school board will present the budget to the town's financiers on March 6. Both the school and town budgets will then be presented to the public at a town meeting on March 18. Finally, the school board is scheduled to meet with the financiers again on March 27 for a second budget discussion.