School budget spares the pain

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June 10, 2009

By Paul Leighton The Salem News Wed Jun 10, 2009, 05:00 AM EDT

BEVERLY — No layoffs. No school closings. No program cuts.

One year after one of the most controversial budget seasons ever, Superintendent James Hayes laid out a 2010 budget that included none of those drastic measures.

Speaking at a City Council budget hearing Monday night at City Hall, Hayes said, "I'm extremely pleased because we haven't had to suffer that pain this year."

Last year, the city closed McKeown Elementary School due to budget cuts. Hayes said the 2010 budget, which begins July 1, has no such problems.

He said the schools are helped this year by $1.87 million in federal stimulus money and another $615,442 in special education reimbursement money left over from 2009. Most of the stimulus money has to be used for new programs, but $366,000 will be used to pay for current programs in 2010, he said.

Hayes said the schools have surplus special education money because they have done a "terrific job" managing those costs.

Council President Tim Flaherty asked if budget problems will arise next year when the stimulus and surplus special education money is gone.

"How to build for fiscal year 2011 is not something I've given a great deal of thought to," Hayes said.

Hayes said the stimulus money must be spread evenly over two years. Much of the money will be spent on "infrastructure," such as computer software, "so that when the money goes away in two years, whatever we built doesn't."

Councilor Don Martin asked Mayor Bill Scanlon if the federal stimulus money "saves this budget more than anything else."

"That's correct," Scanlon said. "I'm sure there will be some pain when it goes, and I'm sure the superintendent would agree."

Hayes said the budget includes money for two teacher salaries in case enrollment figures rise during the summer. He would then hire two teachers to prevent class sizes in first grade and fifth grade at North Beverly Elementary School from going over the maximum.

Hayes said the budget also benefits from more than $900,000 in rental income, including $600,000 from the North Shore Education Consortium for using McKeown School.

"I really shuddered at the thought of being a landlord, but they're terrific tenants," Hayes said.

Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or pleighton@salemnews.com.

Schools by the numbers

$50 million — total budget

$1.875 million — federal stimulus money

$200, $250, $300 — fees for high school sports

29.0 — largest class size (fifth grade, North Beverly)

18.3 — smallest class size (first grade, Centerville)

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