Declining enrollment and increased health care costs , along with other items of significant impact , will result in a tuition increase and staffing cuts at Woodstock Academy , serving high school students from Brooklyn , Canterbury , Eastford , Pomfret , Union and Woodstock .

Headmaster / Superintendent Kim Caron recently explained , “ Statewide there’s a decline in student enrollment … it’s just a natural demographic thing that happens , ” he said , adding , “ I think our decline is sharper than was initially anticipated . ”

According to documentation released from the Academy , projected enrollment is down sharply , nearly 100 students from last year, with the greatest decline out of Brooklyn . “ Brooklyn , ” said Caron , ” had a smaller eighth grade class . ” He said the new Killingly High School and the fact that more students have been accepted to H . H . Ellis Technical High School than in previous yearscould also be contributing factors .

“ It’s difficult to deal with declining enrollment , because you’redealing with a reduced operating revenue , ” said Caron . “ You have to take steps to align the size of yourstaff with the size of yourschool . ” Caron called these steps painful . “ Cuts hurt , ” he said , but added that the decline may not be a bad thing , as the school has been crowded in recent years, and a decline in enrollment does take the pressure off in terms of space .

The Academy will have 10 . 5 fewer staff members next year, some resigning or retiring , other positions lost through position eliminations . Four full-time equivalent positions in support staff will be reduced , one custodial , one maintenance and two support staff positions , said Caron .

“ It’s a painful process , ” he said , of eliminating staff . “ I have done this before . It’s necessary but it hurts … these are real people we’re dealing with . ”

Through these staff cuts , there will be a 10 . 8 percent decline in the salary line at the Academy .

Despite rumors , Caron is not taking a salary increase for the 2010 / 11 budget year, and the reduction in salary line for administration in the budget is 14 . 9 percent , through personnel restructuring at that level . “ Fewer people will be doing more work , ” said Caron , however certified faculty will see a one half percent general wage increase .

The Woodstock Academy Board of Trustees adopted the total operating budget of $ 12 , 762 , 851 on March 23 . It is a 2 . 49 percent per student tuition increase and a reduction of $ 673 , 959 – or minus 5 . 01 percent from last year.