Swampscott wrestling with school budget

SWAMPSCOTT-More than 100 teachers, students and parents attended the School Committee meeting on Thursday evening to voice their concern over budget cuts.Superintendent Matthew Malone said his balanced budget would eliminate a physical education teacher in the elementary schools, one elementary school librarian, oneelementary school health teacher, a part-time elementary band position and a part-time music teacher in the elementary schools.At the middle school, Malone’s budget would eliminate a health teacher, a librarian, and a part-time physical education position. In the high school, the zero deficit budget calls for the elimination of two technical education teachers, a library secretary, an English teacher, a part-time math position, a part-time world language position and one position in the alternative high school program.Former High School Principal Peter Sack, who retired in 2003 after serving as principal for 21 years, spoke about the importance of vocational education. He said eliminating the hands-on component of technical education makes the statement that the school is no longer a comprehensive high school and is a college preparatory high school.?Failure to fund these two (vocational education) positions would be a prescription of disaster,” he said.Sack, who received loud applause, said eliminating those two positions would further disenfranchise students and could lead to higher dropout rates.One parent, who has a student in the alternative high school program, urged the School Committee not to cut the program, which she said is having a positive effect on students.Union President Paul Maguire urged Malone to look for ways to make cuts that would not require staff and program reductions, which he said would hurt the students.The proposed layoffs would save the district approximately $1 million but Malone saidsome of those savings would be eaten up by costs associated with unemployment, which he expects would cost $153,302.The zero deficit budget also reduced the amount of money to pay substitute teachers by $118,000, which Malone said is a concern.Malone said if the district received additional funds his first priority would be to retain one elementary school physical education teacher then retain “specials” including music at the elementary schools.Malone said the elementary schools are a priority because they were decimated by budget cuts last year and specials are needed to give teachers planning time during the day.In addition to the money required to maintain the current level of services, Malone’s recommended budget included more than $120,071 in new programs, which includes the all-day kindergarten, $15,000 in stipends for new athletic directors, $6,800 for an additional part-time secretary at the middle school and a new teaching position at the elementary school level.One high school student questioned the need for the $15,000 stipend for three new athletic directors and Malone said it’s something that is being looked at.The School Committee did not take any action or make any changes in Malone’s proposed budget. School Committee Chairman David Whelan explained it was merely an informational meeting to allow residents an opportunity to ask questions.