Springfield School Board cuts budget slightly

After a lengthy discussion, the Springfield School Board this week cut an additional 0.4 percent from the school budget.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20120330/NEWS02/703309939

Published March 30, 2012 in the Rutland Herald
Springfield School Board cuts budget slightly

By Christian Avard
Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD — After a lengthy discussion, the Springfield School Board this week cut an additional 0.4 percent from the school budget.

The board cut $115,650 from the proposed $27 million spending plan, which brings the new budget to a total of $26.9 million, according to School Board Chairman Scott Adnams. The new budget will go before voters in May for a second chance at passing.

Many of the cuts proposed by the budget committee last week include programs, funds, school outings and administrative trainings.

One of the programs cut slightly was the Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative partnership fee, which offers online training for school district teachers. The district had previously requested $4,350 to cover the costs of two instructors for that program, but the budget committee agreed it could be taught by one instructor.

Another $3,500 in field trips were removed from the budget, however field trips will still take place for all grade levels, according to school officials. If approved, faculty and staff will be more selective in choosing educational trips.

Staffing cuts were also included in the proposed budget. They eliminated a paraeducator position in special education, saving an additional $29,300.

Other reductions included $10,000 in the curriculum fund, a $35,000 reduction in pre-school programs due to a reduction in students, $10,000 in iPad purchases for high school classes, $4,000 in reduced cellphone costs, $10,000 in special education summer programs and $13,000 in administrative travel and conferences.

The School Board acknowledged that making additional cuts was difficult. One resident commended the board for turning around a new budget in a short amount of time.

Ethan McNaughton said not only did the board make cuts on an already bare-bones budget, but also acknowledged residents concerns.

At prior school board meetings, residents argued the $27 million budget failed because of potential staffing cuts, the Park Street school building and the alleged use and misuse of seclusion rooms at Elm Hill Primary School. The budget failed by a 31-vote margin on Town Meeting Day.

Since then, committees have formed, parents shared about their children’s struggles and cuts were made with minimal impact on staffing. McNaughton said the only thing voters have to do now is pass the new budget.

“People are reaching out to the voters and doing something. I’m confident that we can mobilize voters and get this done,” McNaughton said. “We’ve come a long way. Now we need to make sure (these issues) continue to be addressed and we support the budget.”