By Rob Glidden Staff Writer Uncertainty about state funding has made a tough budget season for the Board of Education even more difficult. At a past meeting, the school board discussed reports that the Educational Cost Sharing (ECS) funds that Connecticut schools depend on each year could be reduced by about $33,000. In addition to that, state funding that helps the board deal with transportation costs may be reduced by about $65,000. The current proposed budget from the state’s Appropriations Committee had other cuts that could impact the general government side of the town budget by over $350,000. While the BOE was concerned about the reports, Chairman Brian Goralski said the state was still a long way from finalizing its budget. “It’s still a big question mark right now,” Goralski said. “When it comes to the state budget, what we see in the end is usually not what we see in the beginning.” Suspense about state funding is not a new predicament for the town. Southington’s budget is always finalized by May, while negotiations at the state level can drag on until early autumn. Expected revenue from the state is part of the town’s budget process but the final numbers [...]
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