Saugus budget passes without any opposition

SAUGUS-One resident, Town Meeting member Henry Merrifield turned out for the public hearing on the School Department’s budget Thursday.The School Committee voted to support Superintendent Richard Langlois $25,965,858 budget despite the fact that it is $2.5 million over what Town Manager Andrew Bisignani has proposed.Bisignani has proposed a budget of $23.5 million, which is the same budget the School Department received last year. He said he hopes to find another $800,000 to cover contractual increases, but Langlois said a level service budget includes more than just contractual increases.Langlois also pointed out that the budget he has proposed, while higher than Bisignani’s, is lower than the Department of Education’s recommended foundation budget.The DOE recommends a foundation budget for every community. Langlois said his foundation budget was projected to be $26.9 million.”It’s a $3.3 million shortfall in what the state expects the town to budget,” he said. “The School Department budget is less than the foundation budget by ($874,251). I see that as a fiscally prudent budget.”The other fixed cost increases besides contractual issues include $56,843 in transportation cost increases for student athletes/activities along with $138,669 in busing fees for homeless students and special education students. Langlois said the number has soared compared to the $14,000 currently budgeted for busing homeless students and it could continue to climb given the economy.He will also have a $381,321 bill in special education out-of-district tuition, which can also be considered a moving target since another special education student could move into the district at any time. Langlois has also listed $89,775 in goods and services increases.Langlois also lists a dozen educational needs, some that span a level service budget but all, in his opinion, are critical. They include additional teachers, adjustment and guidance counselors, professional development, a school nurse and a psychologist.”I am asking for a total budget of $25,965,858. I believe this is imperative,” Langlois said. “If we’re going to talk the talk we need to walk the walk. The students deserve it. They are the next generation of this community.