"It's a rainy day
fund and it's raining outside," said Board of Education member Bruce Putterman, on the decision to tap $50,000 from a reserve
fund in an effort to reduce next year's budget by $1.842 million.
Responding to a request by
the Town Council to reduce the education budget down to a 4.24 percent
increase for 2007-2008, Board of Education members this week made their final
deliberations over how to find the money.
In the end, the decisions were made. Some of the cuts will have little impact
on the classroom experience, such as a $200,000 savings in utility costs;
$100,000 saved from a new photocopier contract; and $50,000 saved from
reducing custodial services.
Other cuts will have a direct impact on the classroom, including the cutting
of nine full-time teachers. "These are painful cuts," said Board of
Education Chairman Jack Darcey. Also cut was one
full-time Quest teacher, a program for gifted students. Many parents at a
public hearing a week earlier pleaded with the Board of Education not to
touch the Quest program.
Other decisions include not replacing the assistant principal at Smith Elementary School; not rolling out new
computer software at Bugbee, Aiken, and Norfeldt; and not replacing retiring teachers with new
teachers.
Given the June 12 budget referendum, budget discussions will intensify if
residents vote down the proposed $203.3 million budget for 2007-2008. If the
budget fails to pass, it is likely that the Town Council will ask the Board
of Education for further reductions.
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