Lyme-Old Lyme High School.

Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools will hold a referendum today in Lyme and Old Lyme — the two towns that comprise Regional District #18 — on their proposed $33,634, 371 budget for the 2017-18 school year.

Voting will take place Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cross Lane Firehouse for Old Lyme residents and Lyme Town Hall for Lyme residents. LymeLine.com will publish the result as soon as it is announced shortly after 8 p.m.

When LOL Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser presented the budget for approval to the Region #18 Board of Education in February, he commented, “We are proud to present the lowest budget increase on record for Region #18.  While the increase is exceptionally low, this has been achieved through savings that do not impact any of our existing programs or services. ”

During his presentation Neviaser explained the budget was set to support the objectives outlined in the Strategic Plan by:

• Preserving and building upon the high standards of education in Lyme-Old Lyme while remaining fiscally responsible to our communities
• Supporting the ongoing renewal of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and staff development activities in response to the expectations of state and national standards.
• Continuing to plan and provide technology infrastructure and applications that are consistent with highly effective and efficient programming and operational standards.
• Maintaining high facility standards for all district buildings and grounds.
• Maintaining a dynamic and responsive approach to programming needs and mandates in special education.
• Maintaining both compliance and reasonableness in response to state and federal mandates.

He noted that budget increases include certified and non-certified salaries, instructional programming, and administrative services while decreases include costs for benefits, special education and debt service.  Neviaser stressed that while showing only a minimal increase, the operations/program budget still reflects:

• Continued adherence to class size guidelines
• Reduction of staff to account for enrollment decline
• Continuance of existing academic and extracurricular activities
• Adjustments for anticipated changes in the special education population
• Adequate funding for maintenance and repair of buildings and grounds
• Scheduled replacement of technology and equipment
• Program improvements that are consistent with high academic and operational standards

He also highlighted that several new programs were being implemented and a selection of facilities being upgraded. Program improvements include a new/updated elementary math program, technology infrastructure advancements and replacement of staff computers.  

Facility upgrades include installation of window AC units at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School and Lyme School​; addition of main campus pathway lighting; increasing the number of security cameras​; installation of a concrete lacrosse practice wall​ and replacement of the fuel oil tank at Lyme School​.

For more information on the Region #18 budget, visit this link on the Lyme-Old Lyme School’s website.

How does it look? Intake for Child & Family’s Annual Sale is Tuesday in Old Lyme.

The Lyme/Old Lyme Auxiliary of the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut has scheduled its Intake for donations to the Agency’s 63rd Annual Sale.

Donations will be accepted for one day only in Old Lyme on Tuesday, May 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, in the Sheffield Auditorium on Ferry Rd. This will be the only day to bring items for donation in Old Lyme.

Items accepted include furniture, art work, men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing; books, records, CDs and DVDs; toys and sporting goods; small appliances; household items; linens; jewelry; tools; and more.

All items must be in very good condition, i.e., clothes and linens must be clean with no holes or stains, and appliances must be working. If you require assistance with donating large items, contact the agency at 860-443-2896.

Child and Family Agency’s 63rd Annual Sale will be held at the New London Armory on Bayonet St. in New London, May 10–12.  Prices on Thursday, May 10, will have a premium (+25 percent), Friday, May 11, will be regular price and Saturday, May 12, will be 50 percent off in most departments.

Other drop-off locations for the sale are as follows:

East Lyme/Niantic
Wednesday April 25th 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Saint Matthias Church – East Lyme

Essex
Wednesday April 25th 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Essex Town Hall

Mystic/Noank/Stonington
Wednesday May 2nd 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
St. Patrick’s Church – Mystic

Groton
Thursday May 3rd
Noon to 5 p.m.
City of Groton Municipal Building

New London/Waterford
Saturday May 5th 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
St. Joseph School, New London

For more information on the sale, call 860-443-2896 or visit http://www.childandfamilyagency.org. 

Child and Family Agency is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the well-being and development of all children and their families, with emphasis on the unmet needs of children lacking physical, emotional, and intellectual care and nurturing.

With offices in New London and Essex, and programs in children’s health care, child abuse, family violence, teen pregnancy, parent education, and child guidance, the Child and Family Agency is the largest nonprofit children’s service provider in Southeastern Connecticut.