SWAMPSCOTT — Town Meeting members voted to increase the school district’s budget by $482,000 while reviewing the town’s operating budget for fiscal year 2025.
School Committee member Amy O’Connor proposed the amendment. The amount was determined by a report from Superintendent of Schools Pamela Angelakis that stated the number could fund the reinstatement of the district’s “highest need” staff cuts, as well as an independent audit for the school budget and contracts in the future.
In January, the School Committee approved the $32,600,554 budget by a vote of 3-2. O’Connor broke a 2-2 deadlock by voting “begrudgingly” in favor, although she said she wished the amount was higher. Vice Chair John Giantis and Committee member Glenn Paster voted against the budget for the same reason.
Earlier this month, the Swampscott Educators Association released a statement expressing its displeasure with the proposed school budget. In the statement, the SEA said the budget would be counterproductive to the district’s goal of reducing class sizes for fifth grade and the high school. The letter was brought before the School Committee at its latest meeting on May 9.
O’Connor’s proposal involves having the funds come from the town’s property-tax levy. According to O’Connor, Swampscott has approximately $7 million available in unused tax-levy capacity. The levy amount has accumulated in recent years due to Swampscott taxing at lower than the maximum 2.5%.
Multiple attendees showed their support for the increase, including Swampscott High School students Sofia Comfort and Morgan Bilodeau. They said they hope the increase will allow for the retention of teachers.
“What many people do not realize is the emotional and social support that educators offer to their students,” Comfort said.
Comfort told a brief anecdote about an instance when a teacher helped her through a personal conflict.
“Without resources and educators, these walls are just brick and mortar and they can’t teach, mentor, and support young learners,” Comfort said.
Since the budget increase passed Monday night, O’Connor said she has received multiple texts and calls from district students expressing gratitude for her amendment.
“When I got those notes from those kids that said, ‘Thank you for helping make sure my teacher isn’t fired,’ I was reminded exactly why I do this,” O’Connor said.
