By Cate Lecuyer
BEVERLY — A $3 million budget gap is now down to $737,000 for Beverly public schools, but even that deficit could still mean cuts across the board.
In the first look at a preliminary budget, the difference was made up through cuts to school staff and salaries and a one-time contribution of $1 million from the city.
"That's a goal," Superintendent James Hayes said.
Mayor Bill Scanlon has said the city would give that amount, assuming the state level-funds next year's budget and Beverly adopts a controversial hotel and meals local-option tax, expected to bring in an additional $435,000 per year. The City Council is expected to pass the measure tonight, if recent statements by councilors are any indicator.
The remaining $1.2 million in cuts came from reducing hours or eliminating a range of positions, including two reading teachers, two technology teachers and two aides at Briscoe Middle School, as well as part-time, foreign-language and gym teachers at Beverly High School. In addition, a part-time guidance department position vacated because of retirement would not be filled.
In the elementary schools, no jobs would be cut, but many would move around — which means kindergarten students could switch to another school, depending on class sizes.
The salaries for many other teachers will be paid for by one-time stimulus funds, a move not everyone agreed with.
"I don't like the idea of putting off the problems until next year," Scanlon said at Wednesday night's budget meeting.
Yet Hayes said the money is there now.
"We're still going to have to face that issue a year from now, when the (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) grants go away," he said. "But if we have the money now, I think we should use it in the best way possible."
School Committee members also pushed to see more tangible reductions.
"Let's see what it looks like," committee Vice President Maria Decker said. "If it's unacceptable to us, it's unacceptable."
Ward 2 representative Paul Manzo suggested scaling back the elementary music program, which was just reinstated this year.
"I'm not saying cut it," he said, "but put it on the table. At least we'll have choices."
Hayes said what's under discussion is just a preliminary look at the budget, far from the final version.
"Nothing is set in stone," Hayes said. He said he was concerned by many of the proposed cuts.
"I'm most troubled by cutting two reading teachers at Briscoe," he said. "I think reading teachers are crucial. But we're faced with, 'If not this, then what?' And right now the 'then what' looks worse."
Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salemnews.com.
