School Committee Passes Draft Budget, More Cuts Likely

April 9, 2010

The Framingham School Committee unanimously voted Thursday night to approve a draft 2011 budget of $91.9 million, a cut of $4 million from the current year’s budget, which will mean eliminating 23 jobs.

But work on the budget is not finished since committee members still must consider the recommendation of the town’s chief financial officer Mary Kelley who has asked for an $85.6 million budget, $6.3 million less than the draft budget.

That would mean cutting at least 128.5 positions and eliminating the system’s athletics program, officials say.

“We’re all wrestling very visibly with this,” said School Committee chair Adam Blumer. “Even taking this to $91.9 million, that leaves a $6.3 million gap. Every one of these [cuts] is tough’’.

Th e budget approved Thursday night would mean cutting four district aide positions, 4.5 secretary positions, one district nursing position, a district psychologist, two middle school literacy specialists, and three middle school instrumental music teachers. Retirements, program reductions, and other miscellaneous cuts round out the 23 positions.

The cuts are needed due to significant reduction in tax and other refund.

“None of us ran for School Committee to be doing this,” said Michael Bower, a committee member. “We probably wanted to add programs. I’m holding out hope that things will improve.”

To reach the budget level requested by Kelley, several other budget cuts will be considered in the coming weeks, including the elimination of after school programs at the middle school and high school level, dropping the SAGE gifted and talented program, consolidating to two middle schools from three, and cutting the district’s athletics program.

The $85.6 million budget proposal would also mean doing away with busing within 2 miles of school.

These cuts would eliminate at least 128.5 positions, though school Superintendent Stephen Hiersche has said that is a baseline number.

“We have to re-center the district in a way that we can grow,” Hiersche said. “We can’t build budgets on hopes and wishes that funds will return. We have to build a sustainable system.”

At the beginning of the meeting Thursday, parents, current and former students spoke before the committee, pleading to keep various programs, which some said have had profound impacts upon their lives.

One parent spoke of the importance of a French in her son’s life. The middle school French language program is up for elimination. Another parent suggested the district form partnerships with local non-profits to make up for eliminated programs, such as language programs and literacy curriculums.

The committee will continue budget discussions at its regular meeting Wednesday and has also decided to meet next Thursday to discuss the transportation issues that would be brought about by the more drastic budget cuts. Eliminating busing within two miles of school would save $500,000 under the more drastic budget scenario.

The committee also will hold public forums on the budget later this month before a final vote on the $85.6 million budget.