School budget up $1.6 million
Published on March 18th, 1998
STONEHAM, MA - School Committee Chairman Stephen Gucciardi stated the obvious on Thursday night when he said that he and his fellow committee members "have a major challenge in front of us," with regard to the adoption of a budget for the l998-l999 school year. The School Committee voted in favor of a budget of $l8,090,000, nearly $l.6 million over what Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting drafted as a preliminary estimate.
Despite the significant difference in numbers, the School Committee's vote for adoption of the higher number complies with town bylaw that mandates adoption of a budget 90 days prior to Town Meeting. Subsequent revision of this adopted budget figure is allowed.
Interim School Superintendent Robert Barbarisi informed the audience that the evening's presentation provided "an opportunity for the public to give information" resulting in adoption of a budget "that's reasonable and realistic."
According to School Department Business Manager Donald Simpson, the budget for the current year originally allowed for $l5.6 million to be spent. October Town Meeting granted the schools another $l00,000, and an additional $77,000 will be requested from Town Meeting voters in May.
However, Simpson stated that "despite our greatest efforts," the final expenditure figure for the current school year is anticipated to be around $l6.l million. Meeting that figure, Simpson stated, necessitates holding back purchases at the present time "to make the problem as small as possible."
Simpson then went on to summarize the make-up of the $l8.l million figure for next year. He recalled that former School Superintendent Dr. Ellen Bueschel presented a preliminary figure last month to the Board of Selectmen of $l7.2 million. This figure included the four additional teachers which the High School needed to comply with the state's time and learning requirements; four additional Middle School teachers, or one "team," to accommodate the large incoming class of sixth graders which are an-ticipated; as well as one additional special education teacher which is also required by the state. Simpson called the $l7.2 million figure a "bare minimum."
The additional $890,000 stems from Department requests for expenses which, Simpson said, "we may or may not be able to do without." These include $255,000 for the Special Ed Department, $l84,000 for technology in the form of network management, athletic needs, professional development and supplies.
School Committee member Jeanne Craigie said that a review of the numbers will likely result in cuts and added that her fellow committee members "continue to articulate the mission of the Stoneham Public Schools."
"The classroom is central," she stated, adding "I hope that continues."
Finance and Advisory Board Chairman Richard Gregorio told the Committee that "the best way we can help you is to understand your problem," but conceded that the budget is "a very large problem that will take a lot of work."
Barbarisi suggested that if the Committee approved adoption of the $l8.l million budget, it would have to be done "with full understanding of modifications needed." The vote of approval was unanimous.
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