Melrose School Committee Passes $36M Budget

MELROSE, MA — The School Committee passed a $36 million budget Tuesday night, an admittedly imperfect proposal but one that still represents a small increase in the face of uncertainty about funding due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The School Committee voted unanimously to adopt what was dubbed Budget C, one of Superintendent Cyndy Taymore's three proposed budgets. The $36,976,124 budget represents a 2.3 percent increase over the current budget, but is less than half the proposed increase of the pre-pandemic budget.

"We tried to find a middle road here that would allow the district to continue the great work it's been doing and keep valued staff," Taymore said. "We try to meet the needs for our growing population and honor our contracts, which have class size recommendations as well planning period and other recommendations. This is not to say there are not issues in this that will be felt around the district."

The budget was passed with the caveat that only high-needs positions will be filled between now and July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

The city will receive state money to help fund school-related city services, such as DPW maintenance and nurses. It's unknown how much the state will come in at due to such a sharp decline in revenue.

The budget was presented as level-funded — with the same amount of spending as the current year — but with what Taymore called "critical" positions added. It includes 4.6 positions in addition to an elementary school position that is required for the enrollment increase and contractually obligated raises. The new positions include special education, art and music to meeting growing enrollment. There is an 8.1 percent increase in contractual services for what Taymore said is anticipated special education services and transportation, though state budget uncertainties clouds the city's obligations.

There is also a 16.6 percent cut to equipment and technology and a 16.2 percent cut to supplies and materials, decreases that amount to $208,549.

Taymore acknowledged last week the budget she proposed earlier in the year, Budget A, was a not possible; It had a 5.6 increase from the current budget.

The choice then was between Budgets B and C. Budget B had a 1.5 percent increase.

"It's not the progress we want to make but it is a step forward," Mayor Paul Brodeur said. "It'll take longer than we wanted to get where we want to be."

Taymore said about 17 people will not be returning to the district next year, between retirement and other reasons. The delay in filling non-critical positions until July 1 will allow the murky economic situation to play out and avoid layoffs right now.

"I think this is a prudent way to go," she said.

Taymore also implored the School Committee, if there is money left, to hire two more social workers or mental health workers to help students who will have a difficult time adjusting back to class after the pandemic upended traditional learning.

Related

• Melrose Weighs 2 School Budgets, Initial Proposal 'Not Doable'
• Melrose Schools In Major Budget Pickle Amid Coronavirus Crisis
• 'Cloud Of Uncertainty' Hangs Over Melrose Public Schools