Fairfield, CT

From the First Selectman and Paul Hiller, we have the following as numbers....

FY 2009 (aka this year) - $3,597,485 for ECS Grants (including both what we have received and what we expect to receive by yearend)

FY 2010 (aka the budget) - $3,575,407 - the amount includes the $502k and change that we reduced the Town Revenue by because it is going directly to the BOE but is still counted as ECS Grant money by the State

So if these two numbers are accurate, then we are approx $20,000 lower in ECS Grants for FY2010 than the prior year....so no penalty situation is involved.

The difference in these two numbers compared to Revenue line 4100 is that there are two smaller State Aid Grants that are included in our Town's Revenue but not part of the ECS Calculation.

If anyone knows of any facts that make the above not correct, please let me know.

Thanks to all for their help and patience in getting this a little more clear. And again, we still must make an assumption about whether we will get all the ECS money that the State has promised - otherwise, this year's number could easily change to a lower number.

And once more, we must make an assumption as to whether we think the Minimum Budget Requirement will be extended past June 30th. S

o maybe we know where we stand and maybe we don't....but hopefully we are a little clearer on the assumptions that we are making.... All the best, Mike

Here is an explanation from the CT Assoc of Boards of Education or CABE that Cathy Albin passed along... This seems to have us covered....there is no penalty to the Town if the BOE funding is less than the prior year. Now we can discuss what is really the most important issue - What quality of Education do we want to fund for our town? Also - the one big caveat to what you are about to read - this assumes the State actually funds the remaining balance on the FY09 ECS Grant. If that amount is cut more than $20,000 and the regulation is renewed, we could be back to facing penalties. Of course, the State won't make that decision until after we vote on the Referendum if that is approved. Here is what Ms. Albin sent along...

=0 D

Action Needed to Maintain Local Education Support Many questions have arisen about the status of the minimum budget requirement for education appropriations in the upcoming year. The minimum budget requirement provision in Conn. Gen. Stat. 10-262i applies to towns receiving an increase in ECS funds. Since it is anticipated that the legislature will flat fund ECS in 2009-10, there is no requirement in existing legislation that municipalities appropriate at least the same level of funding as in 2008-09. The MBR provision needs to be revised to provide districts a guarantee of minimum funding not linked to ECS funding increases and to account for the stimulus funds coming to boards of education via the state fiscal stabilization fund monies - for which boards will be held accountable. Legislative leadership of both parities are aware of this issue and will be discussing it as part of the budget deliberations. You can help by bringing this issue to the attention of your legislators.

New Coach on board....from the CT Post....

Warde football's next coach: Duncan DellaVolpe

Fairfield Warde will announce Ansonia native and New Canaan assistant Duncan DellaVolpe as its next head coach Thursday during a meeting with sudents.

DellaVolpe was a standout at -- where else? -- Ansonia in the late 1980s and was a captain on the 1990 squad along with John Picheco, Dennis Tinney and Kevin Sharkey.

He's spent the last 10 years as an assistant coach under Lou Marinelli at New Canaan. As the team's offensive coordinator, he was was a big part of the team's recent switch to a spread offense and developed three different quarterbacks into state champions -- Curtis Casali, Charlie Westfal and Nate Quinn.

DellaVolpe, who was rumored to be a top candidate for the job back in the winter, takes over a club that had made modest strides under former coach Tony Catapano. The Mustangs went from a one-win team in 2005, to three wins in 2007 and 2008.

I am trying to get my arms around the mechanics of the impact of a $2.1 Million cut....and there are a host of assumptions at work....let me try to lay out the ones I see....and I would ask for anyone's help with factual support for how this might play out...

If the State Legislature renews the MBR (Min Budget Requirement).... We need some input on the likelihood of this and possible amendments.... and the Referendum is passed....(not sure how much support it has but for discussion sake let's play this out)

We must cut $2.1 Million Ed Budget... Then here is what I understand will most likely follow....

Then the BOF would meet and lower our mill rate (I assume - does the BOF have to make a Mill Rate Adjustment? Could the Town just keep the Revenue overage?)

Then in FY 2010 ( I assume) we get a note from the State telling us to replenish the $2.1 Million or face penalties... So we have to come up with $2.1 Million and give it to the BOE...

Now what have we accomplished other than now putting the Town in worse financial shape?

The 2.1 Million comes from Townside cuts or by taking it out of our already thin Surplus

And based on the drop in our Surplus combined with the Referendum that passed, the Rating Agencies take a long hard look at our Rating.

So we could end up with less Surplus, a lower Rating and no change in the BOE Budget...

This is going to be quite the Educational Experience....

Stay tuned for more updates...all the best, Mike

Although it is best to keep your eyes on the road while driving down the winding roads, it is amazing that sometimes you can see some of the wild life that is usually hidden in the shadows of the thick trees.

At a quick glance I thought I spied small stray dog, and pulled my car off the road to get a better look. With windows rolled up, this was the scene that was camouflaged by the tall grass. Sad and unpleasant, it was still a fascinating see a fox. The small deer must have been a victim of being hit by a vehicle. It was a rare look at the circle of wildlife in Connecticut.

I grabbed my camera and snapped a few photographs.