PEABODY — What would the city's namesake, George Peabody, do if faced with deep budget cuts?
He wouldn't cut back paraprofessionals' hours, parent and teacher Mary Duff Henry suggested to School Committee members last night as she and 12 others railed against a plan that would reduce the teachers aides' hours to 19 and leave them ineligible for benefits.
"George Peabody was a man denied an education. ... Would George Peabody do this? I don't think so," Henry said, earning applause.
Nearly 200 teachers aides and their supporters packed last night's School Committee meeting to defend their work and make the case to keep full-time aides.
In recent weeks, the board has been considering dozens of cuts to pass a budget that's level-funded at $59.48 million.
Lori McHugh, chairwoman of the paraprofessionals union, criticized any plan that would not only reduce hours but also adversely affect students. She said the district's most needy students need consistency, which would be lost because they wouldn't have the same aide throughout the day.
McHugh asked the committee not to balance the budget on the backs of the least-paid employees.
"Four School Committee members take health care through the city," she said. "Why are you more entitled to health care than the paraprofessionals?"
Parent Pauline Price said her son Devon, who has Asperger's syndrome, had advanced because of his aides' work. She owed them a debt of gratitude, she said.
"My kid's going to college," Price said, while Devon sat next to her. "We didn't even know if he was going to tie his shoes."
Parent Julie Despres said the paraprofessional for her daughter was not just a benefit but a necessity. She asked the committee not to take away the full-time aides.
"This is the last place I thought my city would price shop and cut corners due to a bad economy," she said.
School Committee members met for their regularly scheduled meeting and did not consider any budget cuts, nor did they directly respond to the public comments.
They will meet tonight and tomorrow to continue budget talks in which $4.6 million must be cut to reach the bottom line.
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
