Updated: Town Administrator Says Chapter 70 Funding Hopes Dim

The Legislature does not seem to support the governor's proposed $700,000 increase for Swampscott. Rep. Lori Ehrlich says it remains to be seen what the final budget will provide for education.

  What was once promising news for education funding in Swampscott — Chapter 70 dollars — now looks far less promising. On Wednesday night Town Administrator Tom Younger told selectmen the House and Senate do not appear to support funding the town at 17.5 percent of foundation funding — the minimum amount needed to educate students in a town. Gov. Deval Patrick had proposed a $700,000 increase for Swampscott in his proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget, thereby bringing the town to the foundation level. But the House and Senate look as if the best they would do for Swampscott is a $190,000 increase, leaving the town about $500,000 short of the $700,000 threshhold, he said. And the town may receive less than the $190,000 increase; maybe no …

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Larger Classes and Teacher Cuts Loom if Governor's Budget Fails

Schools would have to cut more than $1 million in projected spending.

  Under a worst case scenario in the coming school year, Swampscott would have to increase elementary class sizes and cut the librarian positions at the high school and middle school. It would require other cuts, as well, including two special education positions and two task management positions at the high school. In total, the district would have to reduce spending by $1,012,399 to operate with a level-funded budget — the same amount of money as this year: $24,305,000. Superintendent Lynne Celli told the School Committee earlier this month that town funding for the district in 2013-14 was at the same level as this year's funding. The superintendent, principals, the business manager, and others consulted on the budget, arriving at cuts …

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Derek

1:45 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Excellent point(s) Chris! "Mismanagement" is the buzzword for this town and a good deal of it starts with the school system itself. I wasn't born and raised here so I have the fortunate perspective of living in other communities and seeing it done better than here. It's going to be an interesting year!   more ›

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