Saugus schools budget subject of contention at Town Meeting

SAUGUS – Saugus Town Meeting voted to approve a $68 million budget Monday night, which includes $26.3 million for the schools and $42 million for the town.Town Manager Scott Crabtree said Saugus is getting back to “spending within our means” and noted Saugus is more stable because of the agreements with the town?s six unions.?I think voting this budget as it is ? will help bring some bright futures to be able to move forward,” he said. “I think we?re going to rebuild the confidence of the Department of Revenue and outside auditors as well as the Board of Selectmen, Town Meeting and residents ? I hope we can get past the personal issues and move forward for the town of Saugus.”While the School Committee voted to approve a $27.7 million budget earlier this year, Town Meeting approved a budget that is around $1.4M less than that and around $630,000 less than the level service budget.Outgoing Superintendent Richard Langlois said the approved School Committee budget “maintains integrity of the school system” without compromising services and obligations, and noted the budget as recommended will affect mandatory programs for special education and other student services, and puts the high school?s accreditation at risk.?As a school system we are at a crossroads,” he said. “We need the town?s support for the necessary services to continue in that upward movement.”Langlois also asked if the schools will benefit from an additional $400,000 in Ch. 70 education money and why the department was being charged a $561,000 charge back for a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority service the school doesn?t use.?We are moving backward in funding and moving forward in spending,” he said.Town Meeting unanimously approved the $26.3M school budget despite the objections of Town Meeting member Peter Vadala, who claimed Saugus children “are in danger.”Vadala began explaining that school officials have been “reckless,” however, Town Moderator Robert Long told him he was out of order.?It?s not that kind of a forum,” said Long. “It?s a financial article. If you were to raise that concern you could go to the superintendent?s office or the police department. This is not the place.”Vadala then replied: “Children are in danger Mr. Long. I?m trying to explain why we shouldn?t spend the money on the school department.”Several Town Meeting members got up and left while Vadala was at the podium and eventually Long told him he was out of order.Vadala urged Town Meeting to defund Saugus High School at last July?s Special Town Meeting because of the school?s sexual orientation nondiscrimination statement and the “underlying presence of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) at Saugus High School.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].