CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The town could be looking at a Proposition 2 1/2 override if it can't get its more than $5 million budget down.

 

The town's total budget is up $178,776, up 3 percent over this year's $4,912,293 spending plan based on a level-funded school budget.

 

But the school's $3 million draft budget is up 8 1/2 percent, or about $236,000, largely because of an out-of-district placement expected to cost between $175,000 and $200,000.

 

"We're not your enemies, we're your friends but we have to be honest with you — we don't have any money," Town Administrator Carl McKinney told a joint meeting of the Select Board and School Committee on Wednesday.

 

"If we tackle these challenges together we are much more likely to succeed as a community."

 

Superintendent John Franzoni and Principal Sandra Cote said they'd already sliced thousands from the school budget.

 

McKinney had laid out three scenarios for the Select Board at its meeting immediately prior: the certification of two years of free cash that would alleviate the town's difficulties, a Prop 2 1/2 override to increase the town's levy capacity, or the potential of a budget rejection that would put the town into monthly spending plan based on this year's budget.

 

Select Board Chair Jeffrey Levanos is leery of a Prop 2 1/2, saying a "solid one-third" of the town's residents are older and on fixed incomes.

 

"We're just as frustrated as you as to how to resolve this problem," said Levanos. "Because 8 1/2 percent is a big percentage increase for a town that has very little money."

 

Officials are putting their hopes into getting free cash certified before the annual town meeting, even if the May meeting has to be pushed into June. The town's financial team has been struggling for several years because of turnover. A new treasurer was hired about a month ago and McKinney said the town accountant, as well as a past accountant and treasurer, are working with her to get the financial reconciliation done. 

 

The last time the town's free cash rolled over several years, Clarksburg got $600,000 to replenish its accounts. Free cash is unexpended funds but the state Department of Revenue has to certify the amounts are correct before they can be used or transferred to other accounts. 

 

McKinney said the town's stabilization account is at $190,000; if it's all used toward the budget, the school would have to come in level-funded plus $40,000, or $2,822,762.

 

So far the school's eliminated $15,000 in psychological services, $4,000 out of food supplies, $1,600 in principal supplies, as well as cutting field trips, teachers' assistants, a school adjustment counselor by a half day and the student support center. Cote said she and the dean of students would be picking up the student support work.

 

"The key point is this budget, where it stands now, if we took the [special placement] out we'd be at about 1 percent," said Franzoni. "If you're saying we have to come in level, that means there's some serious cutting we'd have to do." 

 

The superintendent and Director of Pupil Services Tara Barnes said they had been advocating for an alternative they thought would better serve the child but there was a team involved and a different outcome. Barnes said the state will pickup 75 percent of the cost above $49,400, but it takes a year to get the reimbursement.

 

The town's draft operating budget is up 6 percent, or $107,901, at $1,924,386, with the main drivers of the increase being retirement funds, insurance, contractual obligations and nearly $12,000 for assessment consulting services. The McCann Technical School budget has increased by $70,000, at $383,921. There are six more students projected to attend this coming year. 

 

Select Board Chair Jeffrey Levanos said the town's already nixed the idea of a fourth Department of Public Works employee. 

 

"We're all on board for the school but we don't have the money," he said. "We need you to work with us."

 

Franzoni said the school budget includes projected teacher contract increases (they are still in negotiations) and $300,000 in school choice funds.

 

"We're trying to explore all different grants and funding opportunities that can help us with this budget issue," Franzoni said. "We're just trying to figure out how do we maintain our staffing, how do we maintain a high level of education that Clarksburg has been known for but also stay within the budget."

 

Business Director Lisa Blackmer noted the school district has used $1 million or more in school choice funds over the last four years. But it's been spending out more than it's been taking in by about $25,000 to $50,000.

 

The two boards agreed to continue talks and meet jointly again with hopes that free cash — the potential solution to this year's budget woes — will be closer to resolution. McKinney urged the parents, teachers and officials to write to legislators to tell them how small towns and rural schools are struggling.