A preliminary budget for Mattapoisett’s elementary schools shows promise that Center School and Old Hammondtown will maintain services at a near level-funded capacity next year – with no significant cuts in programs or staff on the table.
At the Mattapoisett school committee meeting on Monday, March 12, Chairperson Gracinda Knox said the $5,752,725 preliminary fiscal year 2013 budget represents a 1.05 percent, or $59,882 increase, from FY 2012 levels. This budget would encompass $41,297 in increases for regular day education and $18,585 in increases for special education.
“It’s a one percent increase without any reduction to student services,” said Knox. She commended Superintendent Doug White on his efforts on the budget. “Over the last three years, he has learned our budgets really well.”
Both White and Knox said the budget is subject to change – and that the final Old Rochester Regional budget could marginally impact the numbers. A public hearing on the proposed budget is tentatively scheduled for the committee’s April 9 meeting – a required step before it is up for vote at the town’s May 14-16 Town Meeting.
At the Monday meeting, White and the two schools’ principals – Rosemary Brown and Matt D’Andrea – offered a snapshot of the possible budget and changes in Mattapoisett staffing and student population for next year.
The latest numbers – which reflect increases tied to contractual obligations and higher curriculum costs for new ELA and Science programs – was the result of the school committee’s ability to whittle down $47,113. The committee so far has identified reductions in supplies, psychology services, professional development, travel/conferences to bring down expenses, according to White’s presentation.
Changes in staff, a reduction in special education tuition costs and utility savings all helped keep the budget manageable.
According to the principals’ presentation, both Center School and Old Hammondtown are projected to welcome fewer students than last year, 283 and 209 respectively. The loss accounts for the potential drop of one teacher in both Grade 1 and Grade 6. In Grade 6, 85 students will move up to Junior High, only to be replaced by 63 incoming students.
In other business:
• The School Committee voted to approve a new colorful sign for the Council on Aging, which was designed by resident Sheldon Hill. The COA office is directly attached to Center School on the southerly end, and COA Director Jackie Coucci said she hopes to sign brings more visibility to the program and its services.
• Director of Student Services Teresa Hamm said that a survey on bullying will be administered to all district students Grades 3 through 12 to assess the impact of anti-bullying policies implemented last year.
By Laura Fedak Pedulli