Williamsburg school panel asks public where to cut

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

WILLIAMSBURG - Before deciding how to compensate for an anticipated budget shortfall of more than $300,000, the School Committee held a public forum Tuesday night to gather the views of local residents.

"We want to make these decisions carefully and thoughtfully, and in order to do that properly we wanted to meet with all of you and get your feedback and input," said Chairwoman Charlene Nardi. "The purpose of tonight's meeting is to gather that input and give you all the opportunity to share your thoughts."

The forum, held in the cafeteria at Anne T. Dunphy School, drew a crowd of more than 50 parents, teachers and community leaders and featured a presentation by Principal Fred Venne, who reviewed the expected elementary school operating budget for the next two fiscal years.

In 2008, the committee's operating budget, which is a combination of money allocated from the state and town and funding from various grants, was approximately $1.83 million.

For the budget in 2009, committee members figured in an expected cost increase of 5 to 7 percent, and found that offering the same services would cost approximately $1.93 million.

For that year, committee members said they expect to receive $1.43 million in level funding from the town and $73,000 in grant funding, which means they will have to decide how to erase $393,000 from next year's budget.

To illustrate where operating costs could be cut, Venne's presentation featured a list of mandatory budget items and services that the school offers but aren't required by the state.

State law requires that the school have one teacher per grade level, offer special education services and offer transportation to students living more than two miles from the school - while nonrequired services such as reading specialists, computer training, art, music and physical education were among the categories up for discussion.

Suggestions made at the forum included making more efficient use of school buses, increasing the cost of lunches, eliminating preschool and kindergarten and fulfilling a long-term goal of consolidating local schools to one location.

Although the forum produced a wide range of opinions, the majority of those in attendance said they thought committee members should focus on streamlining the services they already offer, rather than eliminating anything altogether.

Nardi said the public opinion gathered at the forum will be reviewed at the committee's next meeting, scheduled March 4 at 6:30 p.m., at the same location.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.