Budget up, committee members oppose cuts
By Caitlyn Kelleher Journal Reporter

Some members of the North Middlesex Regional School Committee said they don't want to cut the proposed budget, which is 7 percent higher then last year's budget.

Superintendent of Schools Maureen Marshall presented a $41.1 million budget to the school committee on Monday, Feb. 12, but she has not yet released the assessment to the three member towns because of unknown state figures.

"It's important that we at least level fund the schools," said school committee representative Joseph Sciacca Jr. of Townsend.

He said it is important to maintain opportunities for internships, world languages and other courses.

"This is what's going to keep kids in the district," he said.

The increases in the budget are mostly due to insurance, special education, utilities and teacher contracts.

"I think we might have to say where can we cut things," said committee member Theresa Morse.

Committee member Arnold Silva disagreed.

"People are leaving this district," he said. "We can't continue to sharpen our pencil. We may not be able to go below this budget."

Townsend committee member Fred Wheeler said the district will probably need an increase in funds from the towns, unless there is a great infusion of money from the state.

"We are going to need it if we are going to fund this school," he said. "The cuts to the school are going to hurt everyone."

He said reducing funding for extra-curricular activities and athletics will reduce the number of students who can participate, which could lead to too many students with too much time on their hands.

Marshall said there are very few additions of new services to the district, calling it a level-services budget.

One of the new items requested, but not included in Marshall's proposed budget, is a generator for Ashby Elementary School.

Ashby committee member Denis Moore said he would like to see the generator request be listed as a warrant article for the town.

"It is the only good-size building in Ashby," he said. "We really should have something."

The committee will meet again on Monday, March 5, before certifying the budget on Monday, March 12. They hope to have detailed state numbers so they can predict the assessments for each town.

A school committee can reduced a certified budget can't increase it. Regional school budgets must be certified 45 days before the first town meeting.

In other business:

~ Marshall said there is a decreasing school-age population throughout the state and that North Middlesex is mimicking that trend. She said the big surge in school-aged population graduated five to seven years ago, and was part of the "echo boom" - children of the baby boomers. She said there won't be another burst in school-aged population until those young adults have children.

~ About 30 district paraprofessionals attended the meeting but did not speak out. They held signs outside the high school as they negotiate a new contract with the school committee.