GREENFIELD — The school superintendent’s proposed spending for next year rounds out at $20 million, a 7.5 percent increase over this year’s $18.6 million – which is causing alarm among School Committee member Susan Hollins, the former superintendent; Mayor William Martin, the former chairman; and at leat one other finance subcommittee member.
But Superintendent Jordana Harper and her business manager are stressing that despite the $1.45 million increase in overall spending, local taxpayers would only see a 1.6 percent, or $300,000, increase in their contribution to school spending. The rest is covered by state aid and other sources.
“We’re really pleased we’re putting forward a budget that is very responsive to the community’s needs,” Harper said.
Last year, the local tax request was cut by 3 percent to about $6 million. This year, the request is $6.3 million.
Some things have been cut already from the current budget. Most notably, some bus routes will be cut, and replaced by three new crossing guards. Those bus routes were serving children who technically are suppose to be walking to school.
Nonetheless, transportation costs rose overall because of about $100,000 increase in the contract with Kuzmeskus Bus Co., and because busing money is now coming from the regular operating budget instead of from School Choice income, which is not a totally stable revenue source.
The initial budget the subcommittee saw came in closer to $19.3 million, which continued to use Choice and other special-purpose revolving funds to help control the demand on taxpayers. Hollins, however, requested the superintendent not rely on those funds anymore.
Martin, at one point in the meeting, noted that regionalization needs to be seriously discussed as a potential way to rein in costs.
Another increase was higher pay for teachers earning master’s degrees, which is no longer being covered by grants.
On the plus side, one of the most significant changes in the budget is an additional $1.1 million of Chapter 70 state aid for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Between state aid and Medicaid reimbursement, the schools are expected to receive $13.7 million, leaving the taxpayer to pick up the remaining $6.3 million.
This increase in state funding didn’t mitigate Martin’s concern about overal spending.
“There’s really no explanation for this reckless increase,” Martin said at a finance subcommittee meeting Wednesday morning. “Staying level, staying close to the equator is better for your books, your body, your mind.”
The subcommittee members did not receive the superintendent’s proposal early enough for their liking, some said. All at the subcommittee meeting agreed that their meetings have not been as productive as they could have been to yield a budget more to their liking at this point in the process.
“I have seven reports,” Hollins said about work she was ready to present at the meeting. “I put a lot thought into what to recommend, and we can’t talk about it. That’s my frustration.”
Member Cameron Ward said: “To walk through this process the last couple of months and to find such bickering and lack of give-and-take and unity scares the sh-t out of me.” Ward noted he relies on the experience of Martin, Hollins and Harper to guide the process. “I’m concerned. Maybe I have no reason to be, but from what I consider myself as to be an average Joe, I’m like holy sh-t. What I know is we don’t have a recommendation.”
You can reach Joshua Solomon at:
jsolomon@recorder.com
413-772-0261, ext. 264