NORWICH – Throughout an hour-long discussion Tuesday, members of the Norwich City School District Board of Education entertained the idea of offering taxpayers a zero percent levy increase.

The proposed tax levy currently being considered is 1.87 percent. Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan said the amount was “admirable in this day and age.” However, he went on to explain what programming or services would have to be cut or scaled down in order to bring taxpayers a zero percent increase.

O’Sullivan pointed out that some of the revenues suggested in the budgeting formula weren’t exact because state aid amounts have yet to be set.

During discussion, board members went back and forth about eliminating items or offering taxpayers the proposed increase.

There were six modified teams added last year that led to a $23,000 budget increase for coach salaries alone, not counting equipment and uniforms. “We can’t offer the sports and not supply the uniforms,” O’Sullivan said. “We would have to reduce (the number of) teams.”

Other items on the chopping block could be mock trial, the fall play, a mathematics position, supplies and equipment and staff development. If these were all eliminated or scaled down, O’Sullivan said approximately $100,000 would be saved.