BRUNSWICK, Maine — The Brunswick School Board is sending a $36.5 million budget proposal to the Town Council for its approval.
More than $400,000 was cut from the proposed budget, eliminating some positions as well as funds to install safety equipment on school buses. Meanwhile, funding for sports programs and the position of assistant superintendent remain intact, so far.
The board approved the proposed budget 6-1 on Wednesday, with member Chris McCarthy in opposition.
“We as a board have gone too far, and we’re doing a disservice to the kids,” said McCarthy, referring to cuts made by the board at the suggestion of Superintendent Paul Perzanoski.
Perzanoski warned the board that those cuts would not go “far enough” to satisfy the Town Council.
Town Manager John Eldridge had suggested that $750,000 be cut from a preliminary budget suggestion offered by Perzanoski, and members of the council have balked at any significant tax increase.
Among funding that has been cut from the proposed school budget:
— $97,000 to fund a reading strategist position.
— $62,500 to fund a technology integration person.
— $50,000 to fund a half-time school psychologist.
— $50,000 for facilities and grounds repairs.
— $35,000 in food service funds.
More than $16,000 was eliminated from the transportation budget that included about $2,000 to install swinging arms equipped with flashing LEDs on 12 school buses. The arms, at $170 each, would help prevent children from stepping into a bus driver’s blind spot, according to Facilities Director Paul Caron.
Board members said the arms would not prevent the problem of motorists illegally passing school buses, which occurred twice Wednesday, according to Caron.
The board rejected a proposed $32,000 cut in the freshman sports program.
Brunswick Athletic Director Jeff Ramich defended the program, stating that it’s an incentive for some student athletes to perform well academically. Cutting it, he warned, could lead to attendance, academic and behavioral issues.
“It’s really an extension of the classroom,” he said.
“I’m having a really hard time exempting one pot of money from cuts,” said board member Brenda Clough later in the meeting. “I just think if we’re looking at little pots of money here and there, that sports also needs to be put on the table. It’s only fair there are contributions from that part of the budget.”
The board also narrowly rejected a proposal to cut $98,000 to fund a remedial math instructor position.
On Tuesday, the board rejected a proposal by Perzanoski to save $135,000 by eliminating the assistant superintendent’s position, which will be vacated when Gregory Bartlett retires this summer. On Wednesday, the board showed no interest in changing its stance, nor did the board show interest in revisiting a rejected proposal to cut $70,000 in special education and $90,000 in literacy support funding.
The budget will be presented to the Town Council, but voters will ultimately have the final say in a referendum.
In an interview after Wednesday’s meeting, Town Councilor Daniel Harris couldn’t say whether the council would support the board’s budget proposal.
Harris said he had further questions he needed to ask the district before he made a decision.
“I can’t fault their process,” Harris said, referring to the school board. “These guys have the most difficult job in town.”