Nahant schools budget proposal includes music, art programs

NAHANT – The restoration of art and music programs to the Johnson School was included in the preliminary budget proposal for fiscal year 2014, but Superintendent Phil Devaux said that doesn?t guarantee that they will happen.Devaux presented the school department budget proposal for fiscal year 2014 at a School Committee meeting Tuesday to provide an initial outline of budget expenditures anticipated for the 2013-2014 school year.Devaux said it is “to be determined” how closely the proposal will match the actual budget.According to Devaux, the presentation was the first step in a four-month process to get the proposal approved. Devaux will need town officials? and the Finance Committee?s approval before the fiscal year begins in June 2013.According to the proposal, art and music programs, as well as library programs, will be restored to the FY11 level. Art and music will make up $20,060 in the proposed budget. The proposal reads that “the program is restored but at lower personnel costs due to fewer classes.”Other notable line items on the budget include a tentative increase in tuition to Swampscott schools by $8,229 and a decrease in special education by private schools by $6,651. In addition, non-salary restoration will increase from zero in FY13 to $86,777 for FY14, and special education aides will be paid by grants, decreasing that line item to $8,230.The proposed budget is still subject to actual state aid to the town, finalization of contractual agreements, a more precise view of special education costs, potential for special education revenue, and finalization of the Swampscott tuition rate.The budget comparisons stand at an actual amount of $2,817,695 for FY12, the budget amount for FY13 at $2,976,661, and $3,086,461 for the proposed FY14 budget.Devaux said the budget proposal will be on the school?s website on Thursday, and that there will be many meetings for residents to ask questions at School Committee meetings.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].