It’s budget season in Saugus and schools first in line with funding requests

SAUGUS – Budget season is under way in Saugus as the School Committee met with administrators from the high school to discuss priorities for 2014.Town Meeting approved $25.6 million for the schools last year, which included a $100,000 reduction. This was $1.8 million less than what was needed, according to Superintendent Richard Langlois’ request.”It created a financial gap for us of $1.8 million last year,” Langlois said Wednesday. “This was insufficient funding for the school system ? Multiple obligations are unfunded from the state and it’s becoming more difficult to fund that because of a lack of funding.”Looking at the current year, Langlois said the district dropped from a Level 2 to a Level 3 because of low science scores at the Belmonte Middle School. Under the new MCAS guidelines, Langlois said if one school drops a level, the entire district drops.Because of this, Langlois said one of his top priorities is to boost the science curriculum for all schools. Langlois also said he anticipates more students coming back to the district due to the economy.”The reality is the school district is growing and we have to keep pace with it,” said Langlois.Other priorities for Langlois include a ramp at the Ballard Early Childhood Center, security cameras at all buildings, and replacing textbooks and technology.Michael Hashem, the math curriculum supervisor, said he wants to integrate wood shop and technology and engineering into one class, which would be an expansion of what already is in place at the middle school.In math, Hashem said textbooks need to be upgraded in some classes, including Algebra I, Algebra II and Calculus, as do graphing calculators.Richard Lavoie, the humanities supervisor, said history textbooks need to be upgraded while five iPads with a Mandarin app will help students in Mandarin class.Science supervisor Frank Woods, who also oversees the fine arts program, said he’s looking to bolster the program with the purchase of new music software for band and chorus students.For science, Woods said his main goal is to purchase textbooks and laboratory materials for around $26,000 for the science elective classes along with improvements to the science labs and new microscopes.”There are still situations that need to be addressed,” said Woods regarding the labs.Acting high school principal Jason Merrill requested four additional positions, including a full-time custodian, two humanities teachers and a technology teacher.The school department’s budget presentations continue today at 4 p.m. at the Roby Building as elementary school principals will discuss their needs.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].