Hindley School 4-27-16

Board of Education Names New Principal for Hindley School

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The Darien Board of Education appointed DJ Colella as Principal of Hindley School at Tuesday night’s board meeting. The appointment is effective July 1. Mr. Colella is a graduate of Rutgers University, received a master’s degree in education from Manhattanville College, and a second master’s degree from Bank Street College of Education from their Future School Leadership Academy. ___________

— This is an announcement from Darien Public Schools. ___________

Mr. Colella was a 5th grade teacher for ten years, a 6th grade science teacher for five years and has served as the assistant principal at the Somers Middle School in Somers, N.Y. since 2010.

Michael Harman 3-6-16

Board of Ed Chairman: Spending Increase Due to Personnel, Training, Tech

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Higher personnel costs, together with more teacher training and the introduction of more technology into classrooms accounts for three quarters of the 3.44 percent increase in proposed school spending, according to the chairman of the Board of Education. Michael Harman, chairperson of the Board of Education, spoke early last week to the Board of Finance, as did First Selectman Jayme Stevenson at the official hand-off of their budget proposals for the 2016-2017 fiscal year. The Board of Finance will gather more information this month and later decide whether to cut or increase the budgets before sending them both to the Representative Town Meeting for final approval. The next 12-month fiscal year starts July 1. __________

See also:

2016-17 Budget Proposals Presented to Darien Board of Finance
Stevenson Presents Selectmen’s Budget with New Proposals, New Cost Savings

Budget document: Board of Selectmen’s proposed 2016-2017 budget
Budget document: Board of Education’s proposed 2016-2017 budgetRevised school district Capital Projects Plan description

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The Board of Education’s budget request of $93,847,816 is an increase of 3.44 percent over the 2015-2016 budget approved last year by the Representative Town Meeting.

Darien Public Schools

Education Budget Increase of 3.44% Approved by Board of Ed

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The Board of Education on Tuesday passed a $93.8 million schools budget raising spending by 3.44 percent, an increase of $3,125,290. 

Before the board voted on any budget adjustments, Superintendent Dan Brenner suggested a collection of various budget cuts and changes that amounted to an overall reduction of $365,527. The board unanimously approved the change (board member Christa McNamara was absent). The largest of Brenner’s cuts came from $237,953 in lower spending on the district retirement fund. The Board of Education’s proposed budget for 2016-2017 is $93,847,816 — at 3.44 percent, a smaller increase over the budget passed a year ago than Brenner’s original proposal for a 3.85 percent increase. Much of the change in spending comes from previously negotiated wage increases as part of union and employment contracts.