The proposed budget of Superintendent of Schools Deborah Wheeler will be put to the test tonight when it is discussed and possibly considered for adoption by the Board of Education.

The board meets at 7 pm at the intermediate school.

Wheeler's spending plan of $16,368,581 is $454,581, or 2.86 percent, higher than this year's budget of $15,914,000. The proposal received a thorough review Monday from the Board of Finance, which expressed some concerns but generally gave the plan a favorable review.

Like most superintendents, Wheeler had had to put a squeeze on spending as the economy continues to affect taxpayers. Her proposal calls for a reduction of 7.1 staff positions, including 3.6 teaching jobs, to save $294,200.

School board Chairman James Katzin and several school board members attended Monday's meeting with the finance board. Based on Katzin's comments, the school board is expected to have a healthy debate on Wheeler's spending plan tonight.

Two budget areas the finance board quizzed Wheeler on in detail were maintenance and the high school swimming program. Finance board member Jeffrey Zullo said his board is interested in seeing a proposal that would have the Board of Selectmen absorb the school board's maintenance costs.

The selectmen's budget currently funds maintenance of the grounds around the town's three schools, but the school board pays to maintain the interior of its buildings. By turning all of its maintenance costs over to the town, Zullo said, the school board would make a significant reduction to its budget and have one less management responsibility.

"This board made the request eight years ago that we take the opportunity to do something different in the way we manage our buildings," Zullo said. "Maintenance is a big item in the (school) budget and maybe we can reduce costs and redundancy."

The school board's projected cost for maintenance in 2010-11 is $800,000, according to Business Manager Pat Buccitelli.

First Selectman Leo Paul Jr. has expressed interest in having his budget absorb school maintenance costs but has yet to make a formal proposal to the school board. Paul, however, has said he believes the town would be able to cut costs by handling school maintenance more efficiently.

Zullo also expressed concern with the rising rate of education costs at a time when student enrollment is decreasing. Projections show enrollment dropping from its current level of 1,200 to 1,157 next year.

"How are you going to do things differently to control costs when we're losing students?" Zullo asked Wheeler and Katzin. "Please think differently, think creatively. In five years, taxpayers aren't going to be able to pay for this."

As for the swimming program for high school and middle school students, it appears threatened with extinction. Wheeler's budget doesn't include the $17,500 budgeted this year to rent the pool at the Connecticut Junior Republic.

At a time when staff positions are being cut and programs are being reduced, Wheeler said, budgeting money for the pool couldn't be justified.

Wheeler did say an effort is being made to identify funding sources outside of the school budget.

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