FAIRFIELD — Superintendent Robert Farrell said an $8 million deficit facing Fairfield schools points to the need for an operating levy on the November ballot.

        “There is no way to avoid a levy,” he said. “We want to put the least amount of millage we can while still continuing an excellent program.”

        Mr. Farrell said he is not yet ready to recommend a specific amount for the levy. Further discussion will come at the school board's June 27 meeting as the books are being closed for fiscal year 2002.

        The deficit is projected to hit the district during the 2002-03 school year.

        Mr. Farrell said he would meet this week with a newly formed group of community and business leaders, the BEST group — Building Excellent Schools Together — to review the district's financial records, verify the need and make suggestions on cost-saving measures the district could try.

        At the same time, educators also will be looking for ways to trim expenses.

        “We are being very conservative in the way we allocate personnel,” Mr. Farrell said. “We'll be trying to trim projections while still providing an excellent program for our students.”

        Before deciding on any levy, the board also must determine whether to offer an all-day kindergarten or change the hours of the school day for students. Board members are studying reports on both issues.

        Neither could be done without additional money that would have to be built into a levy, said Anne Crone, president of the Fairfield Board of Education.

        “It's going to cost more than we can afford but if this is the direction the parents, community and staff want, then we will have to pursue that in the future as a goal,” Mrs. Crone said.

        Voters rejected levies in May and November 2001. As a result, the district did not hire any additional teachers for the 2001-02 school year despite an addition of 240 students.

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