Saugus School Committee voices needs in budget meeting

SAUGUS – Funding for the School Department in the FY 2016 budget is $400,000 more than this year, but $1.3 million less than it requested.Members of the School Committee met with the Board of Selectmen, Treasurer Wendy Hatch and acting Town Manager Robert Palleschi to discuss estimated expenditures in the School Committee?s proposed 2016 budget.The town manager voted to increase school funding by $400,000 – giving the department approximately $27,375,000.According to School Committee member Arthur Grabowksi, the School Department?s recommended budget for next year was $28,707,380 – a 6.35 percent increase from this year.?I realize the town doesn?t have the funding, but I also have to be faithful in my position as School Committee member,” Grabowski said. “We are obligated to pay two bargaining units, but the biggest bargaining unit expires June 30. We have to negotiate a new contract with them, and that alone eats up the initial stages of our negotiation.”School Committee member Jeannie Meredith said the Healy Bus and teachers/custodians? contracts also end this year, stressing the importance of having funds readily available.Grabowski added that heating and electrical costs historically increase, especially with winters such as this one. He said the School Committee receives whatever funds are left over.?I don?t see where this money is going to come from, except for cuts. That?s not even close to a compromise,” Grabowksi said. “That?s not a good way to run a school district. We won?t be making any easy choices. It?s disheartening – the town manager?s budget also has a $250,000 deficit. It?s not a balanced budget.”He said the proposed budget won?t allow for an increase in personnel programs or to address critical needs, such as adjustment/wellness counselors, teaching positions or new textbooks.Meredith said they realize their proposed budget may be unrealistic, but it?s their job to advocate.?Our staff does a phenomenal job at what they?ve been given,” said Meredith, “But we?d like to see more tools they can work with. Our textbooks are outdated. Classroom sizes need to stay small.”She said a full-time athletic director, vice principal, curriculum director, school librarian and library specialist were either cut or cut down to part-time positions last year.Grabowski said schools went from simply teaching arithmetic, reading and writing to being responsible for emotional issues that require the expertise of psychologists and adjustment counselors.According to Hatch, there?s a projected time frame to when the budget becomes more finalized.?Now the selectmen look it over, and the budget recommendation goes to the Finance Committee.”Each department, including the School Committee, presents its proposal at a hearing as to why they need the recommended amount. Grabowski said this is nothing new.?Every year, we go through the same process,” he said. “I think they proposed about $400,000 last year.”Palleschi said the town will find an equitable way of sharing.?We always have the schools in our mind,” he said. “I know there?s a lot of exciting things going on.”Selectman Maureen Dever said she understands everyone in town cares deeply about children.?I think we all want to support the schools,” Dever said. “The picture will become clearer when we know how much money is available.”