Politics & Government

Bethel Superintendent Makes Case for Budget in Videos

Selectmen have supported the Board of Education's proposed 3.2% budget increase, calling the amount "prudent."

 

With a 3.2% budget increase proposed for the coming year, Bethel Superintendent of Schools Kevin Smith has taken to Youtube to make his case for the most major changes -- including an additional school psychologist and a part-time reading specialist.

Smith has made three videos so far, available on Youtube and the school district's website, with the most recent uploaded last week. (See above.)

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In the first video, Smith said he believes the budget is "responsible and reasonable."

"We work hard to plan a budget that balances achieving our vision and not overburdening our local taxpayers," he said.

Find out what's happening in Bethelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Along with the additional psychologist and reading specialist positions, the budget also calls for a third NJROTC instructor and security upgrades across the district. Smith said he sees the videos as a powerful tool to get budget details across to parents and residents.

"It can be confusing if you're not looking at those numbers every day," he said. "Part of our strategy has been to be as transparent and communicate as effectively as possible. One recommendation was to create these short videos, which anyone can access, to help them understand the budget."

In presenting recommendations to the Board of Finance Tuesday, First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said he made only a minor change, noting a duplicated $20,000 item for snow plowing.

"They've put together an extremely responsible and well-crafted budget," Knickerbocker told Patch, singling out the school psychologist position. "We all feel this is extremely critical in this age, following the horrible events in December" at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

He called the school budget "prudent."

"Those are not expensive requests," he said.

The Board of Finance will deliberate on selectmen's recommendations for education and other departments and create a proposed budget to present to the town in April. A referendum has been tentatively scheduled for May 16.

For more on the 2013-14 Bethel Board of Education budget, see the videos above.

  • Video 1: Smith presents an overview of the 2013-14 school budget.
  • Video 2: Smith addresses the question: "Why do we need a school psychologist?"
  • Video 3: Smith addresses the question: "Why do we need a reading specialist?"


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