Committee Backs 8 Percent Increase

The School Committee tonight unanimously supported a proposed FY 13 budget that is 8.26 percent higher than the current level.

The proposed budget, which totals 25,198,892, cuts the full-time equivalent of 12 positions.

These include: 7 instructional assistants (districtwide); 1 math teacher at ; 1 world language teacher at ; 1 math teacher at Grafton Middle School; 1 English language arts teacher at Grafton Middle School; and 1 speech and language teacher (districtwide.)

These cuts total $369,000.

The proposed budget hike is the third highest in the decade. Superintendent of Schools Jay Cummings said four major factors are driving the increase:

Opening the new Grafton High School in September. He estimated this will add $574,000 to the budget.

Termination of federal stimulus funding that had boosted the budget in previous years.

Across-the-board 2 percent collective bargaining increases in staff salaries.

Staffing needs with the new high school and realignment of the schools.

The amount of state aid available to bolster the budget remains unknown. Cummings said that town officials have estimated state aid could be $100,000 to $200,000 higher than last year.

Cummings estimated the town will provide $1 million from general funds for the overall budget increase and $274,000 in free cash for the one-time expense of bringing on full-day kindergarten.

Using his best state aid estimate, Cummings said that about $650,000 in the proposed budget remains unaccounted for.

School Committee member Teri Turgeon said that budget cuts take a toll. “When we make cuts, it literally seems to go right to the classroom,’’ she said.

She questioned whether the time has come to raise revenues. Cummings said that at the next meeting, discussion will center around potential school choice and fees.

The issue should at least be considered, he said.