NORWICH – The Norwich High School cafeteria was a sea of purple Monday night as well over 100 people gathered to hear how school leaders propose to close the district’s $3 million budget gap.

Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan began by reiterating the district’s goal of developing a budget for the 2011-12 academic year which is both fiscally responsible and maintains instructional integrity. He then launched into the specifics of the plan, which keeps district spending flat at $37,090,193.

“I’m proposing a 1.87 percent tax levy increase,” he reported. This translates into approximately $186,000, which still leaves a more than $2.8 million gap between the district’s revenue and expenses.

To close it, O’Sullivan has proposed eliminating a total of 32 positions. 25 of which will be vacated through retirement or resignation, he says. Seven additional jobs will be cut, two others will be reduced to part time and secretarial hours will be “realigned” under the plan.