May 2, 2003

School Committee approves $19.6 million budget

By JILL ANDERSON

Staff writer

NEWBURYPORT -- Last night the School Committee half-heartedly approved a $19.6 million budget for next year.

The $19.6 million budget, which committee members unanimously approved, features $711,693 in cuts. This budget reflects only a 0.7 percent, or $142,000, overall increase from last year's budget.

"I am in favor of this budget with grave reservations," said committee vice chairman Bill Heenehan. "As a community we intend to support education, but we fall short."

If City Council approves this budget, the following programs and positions would be eliminated: the high school strings (music) program, English/language arts/social studies coordinator, middle school and elementary school science coordinator, all kindergarten through grade eight field trips, a Kelley School teacher, a Brown School teacher and the Discovery program.

Additional reductions would be made to clerical staff, high school reading staff, supplies and materials, technology staff and support, middle school science kits, nursing staff, maintenance, curriculum, in-service, and legal services.

Committee members agreed that it was difficult to make the cuts that needed to be made.

Committee member Bruce Menin said he finds himself still at odds with some of the cuts and that if by any chance more cuts need to be made he'd be "very unpersuaded".

Although committee member Mary Anne Clancy said she was thrilled with Lavender's city appropriation of $18 million, an increase of $496,000 from last year, she still didn't think next year's total budget was enough.

"Every year we start doing a 0.7 percent increase, we are losing ground," Clancy said reiterating that this budget doesn't do what they have to do.

"All the cuts we're making are very difficult," said committee member Laurie Naughton. "It's painful to look at the schools and the conditions they're in...I hope the community can come together to make this better for the children."

Garvey said the cuts are hard to deal with.

"How we recoup is very pertinent," Garvey said. "When you lose ground, you don't make it up quickly."

While many residents turned out for the public hearing, no one voiced opposition to the budget. However, some residents requested the committee consider certain things as they move forward, like the condition of the elementary schools, how to change the budget process, and inequities in the system.

The next step in the process will be the mayor's presentation of the School Committee's budget to the City Council for their approval.

Once the budget is in City Council's hands, they can make further cuts, but cannot increase the budget.