Stonington board won't apply state funds to magnet school transportation

Stonington - The Board of Finance told parents Wednesday night that it will not move state reimbursement money for magnet school transportation into the school budget to help pay for the service, which the school board had cut from its budget.

Parent Jim Turner, whose two children attend the Regional Multicultural Magnet School in New London, had asked the finance board to dedicate the $43,000 the town gets from the state for magnet school transportation.

School officials have said the money does not get funneled into the school budget but instead is deposited in the town's general fund. The finance board has argued the funding helps offset the tax rate for all residents.

If the town does not provide the transportation, it will not receive the state reimbursement.

The finance board's decision means that parents of 43 students will either have to drive their children to the out-of-town schools or re-enroll them in the Stonington school system.

The elimination of the transportation money is part of the $300,000 in cuts the school board made after the finance board reduced the school budget's $1.3 million increase following the defeat of the budget at the first referendum.

The cut does not affects transportation to Grasso Tech and the Ledyard vo-ag program.

Turner said he was disappointed by the finance board's decision but would ask the school board at tonight's meeting to restore the transportation.

- Joe Wojtas