Norwich - The Board of Education finalized its $68.1 million 2011-12 budget Tuesday, eliminating 12 teaching positions while also setting ambitious goals for improving test scores and parental and community involvement in the schools.

The budget, approved by the school board in March, had totaled $70.07 million. The City Council last week approved a school budget that was $1.9 million less than the amount proposed.

The school board Tuesday unanimously adopted a list of cuts recommended by the board budget committee. Cutting 12 teaching positions saved an estimated $540,000. Three para-educator positions were eliminated to save another $60,000, and eliminations of a nursing supervisor position and a preschool liaison saved $70,000 and $45,000, respectively.

Labor concessions from unions representing custodians, secretaries, nurses and school administrators totaled $97,000 in savings, but the two largest labor unions representing school teachers and para-educators did not agree to contract concessions.

The biggest budget cut was obtained by cutting the health insurance reserve account by $1.09 million. The school system is self-insured to a point, and school Business Administrator Athena Nagel said the account has enough of a reserve to allow for the cut.

Prior to adopting the budget, the board also approved a revised District Improvement Plan, a requirement under the federal No Child Left Behind law for school districts with test scores that fall below state performance goals.

The seven-page plan starts with a goal that the percentage of students scoring at the "proficient" or higher on state standardized tests will increase by 5 percent per year, or by 15 percent over a three-year period.

The plan also aims for a 5-percent-per-year improvement in the graduation rate for Thames River Academy, an alternative high school. The academy fluctuates between about 75 and 100 students, and Principal Edward Derr said the school has a different definition for "graduate" than most high schools.

Many students attend Thames River Academy to avoid dropping out or failing. They could "graduate" out of the program to another high school - Norwich Free Academy for example, Derr said.

Superintendent Abby Dolliver said the seven-page improvement plan sets several strategies for improving test scores, including improved professional development for teachers, more interaction between schools and parents, data-based tracking of student progress and getting outside community support for the schools.

Each item has specific staff names attached to the goal, making principals, administrators and reading, language and math coordinators responsible for the improvements.

Board Chairman Charles Jaskiewicz called the plan "a short and concise document with accountability."

Dolliver said the school system has to be committed to the ambitious improvements despite losing a dozen teaching positions resulting in larger class sizes and 10 or more multi-age classes with combined grades.

"We have to do it," she said.

c.bessette@theday.com