Clarksburg School Officials Told to Find Budget Cuts
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The School Committee had submitted a budget of $2.4 million, up $120,000, or 5 percent, over this year. That won't fly at town meeting, said selectmen.
"I don't think they're going to support it," said Selectman Carl McKinney. "Every dollar on the tax rate raises $82,000 ... That's what, $1.50?"
Board members questioned a number of line items that appeared to give significant raises, including 8 percent to the school nurse.
Superintendent Jonathan Lev said that line item was an error: "I would like to say that no one is getting more than 2 percent."
Still, raises of any kind steamed the board, which noted town employees have had their wages frozen for four years.
"The school has always gotten more money — we've cut people, we've furloughed people, we've cut our own stipends," said McKinney. "You have a custodian making more than the town administrator; I find that offensive."
School Committee member David Woods said the school was "the greatest asset the town has" and that, taking into account rising fixed costs, the budget was up only $13,000.
Lev said the school is looking at a $20,000 increase in health insurance costs and $30,000 in special education because of outside placements, losses of $25,000 in federal stimulus money and a 3 percent jump in tuition to North Adams. On the other hand, he said line items had been trimmed and a fifth-grade teaching position eliminated.
"We believed cuts in the budget would decimate the school," he said, adding whatever budget he got, "I will make it work but it means some major cuts and program losses ... do we get rid of art, Spanish and music?"
Selectmen, particularly Chairwoman Debra LaFave, questioned why $50,000 in projected school choice funds were being used to offset teacher salaries instead of supporting programs, why "agreements" with classified employees that guaranteed overtime and other benefits but weren't on file with the town clerk, and other line items.
"We want to work with you, we want to negotiate with you," said Lev. "We appreciate any help you can give us."
Town Administrator Michael Canales and McKinney asked if the committee had approached the teachers about reopening their contract or about a wage freeze. Lev said they could but next week was vacation week. Chairwoman Debra LaFave said time was running out — the budget was presented just two weeks before the warrant was being closed.
The School Committee agreed to return with reductions for a meeting next with the Finance Committee and Selectmen. LaFave reminded school officials that a quarter of the population was elderly, on fixed incomes and hadn't had a raise in two years. That could come into play when the budget was on the floor at town meeting.
"You get somebody mad enough they can lower it lower than we have," said LaFave. "I realize you're protecting your school but we're protecting our town."
In other business,
• The Selectmen approved a letter to be sent to the town's representatives requesting exemption from the 40B law, which allows affordable housing development by right outside of local permitting. The town is joining other towns in which the state owns more than 35 percent of land in protesting the law. The state owns about half of Clarksburg, limiting the area for any potential development and, thereby, endangering open space.
"We are the communities shouldering the burden of protecting the environment," reads the letter.
• Selectwoman Lily Kuzia, who also is chairman of the Council on Aging, said an information meeting on senior housing has been set for April 28 at 6 p.m. at the Senior Center.
Elder Services of Berkshire County is reapplying for a federal grant for housing after the last bid missed out. Canales said an environmental impact report will be completed for this application along with several other items that cost the town points.
• Canales said he sould have the warrant draft completed for next week, including for the town budget of just over $1 million and several capital items.
