Committee discontent with school contribution

SAUGUS – Saugus will continue to pay more than other municipalities for the regional vocational school because of its status as a “wealthier community” by the state.Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School Superintendent Theodore Nickole told Saugus Finance Committee while presenting his budget that he knew it was “hard not to cringe” when looking at the formula used to determine how much each community pays.According to Nickole?s proposed 2014-2015 budget, Saugus? total contribution was the highest of the 12 other communities at $2,773,703. Committee members agreed it was a tough pill to swallow since Chelsea was set to contribute $721,837, though they would be sending 199 students to the school compared to Saugus? 190.Nickole, a Saugus resident himself, explained that it wasn?t that Saugus was paying more because cities like Chelsea were paying less, but that Saugus wasn?t getting as much state aid because of its higher property values and per capita income. “I?m trying to work on why they see us as so wealthy when we?re not so wealthy,” said Nickole.Chairman Robert Palleschi called the system “skewed” and “unfair” for being weighed in favor of poorer communities. He said the lack of state aid to Saugus was the same reason “we have a school department that we?re struggling to fund.”Nickole said there was “nothing the vocational school can do except keep spending at a minimum,” though some committee members questioned Nickole?s incentive to keep costs down.?I try to keep spending under control, but no matter what I do, it doesn?t help Saugus get state aid,” said Nickole.