By Ethan Forman
DANVERS — The School Committee and Selectmen last night lamented a $31.8 million school budget that rests on $300,000 in savings due to shifts among seven teacher positions in a spending plan with little room to maneuver.
"Good luck, it's going to be a tough year," Selectman Michael Powers said during a joint meeting of the boards in Town Hall.
"This isn't a budget where we are going to jump for joy," School Committee Chairman Arthur Skarmeas said. The School Committee on Monday approved a $1.2 million, 4.08 percent increase in their budget over the present school year's spending plan.
One thing that was a minor topic last night was a proposed meals tax hike, despite the School Committee's apparent support for it during a meeting Monday.
Selectmen refrained from that subject last night as the board plans to talk about a trash fee or meals tax increase to cover a revenue shortfall at a special meeting scheduled for Friday, 6 p.m, in Town Hall, in the Toomey hearing room, 1 Sylvan St.
Skarmeas said he had voted against a meals tax last year, but given the tight budget, he would probably back it at Town Meeting.
"If the meals tax would come up again, I would personally look at it," Skarmeas said.
Selectman Keith Lucy said that raising taxes may not mean more revenue.
"We raised the hotel-motel tax, revenue is flat, there is no guarantee," Lucy said.
The new school budget involves the elimination of a fifth-grade teacher at the Smith School, a high school teacher and a middle school aide. The positions will be eliminated through layoffs or personnel moves.
The schools will also see savings from four teachers who are or will be on leave next year and who will be replaced by lower-cost substitutes, School Committee member Eric Crane said after last night's meeting. Three of the teachers have been out on leave, but they have decided not to return, Crane said. One asked for an unpaid leave next year. Taking their positions out of the budget will not translate to fewer teachers in the classroom, Crane said.
Lucy noted the elimination of three teacher positions brings to 10 the district will have lost over two years, including seven trimmed during last year's budget cycle.
"We have nowhere to go except cut teachers," Skarmeas said of the present school budget, which has to absorb a $450,000 cut in state aid for so-called special education circuit breaker reimbursements for certain special needs students. The schools are also dealing with $1.4 million in contractual salary increases.
Selectman Mike Powers suggested the School Committee take into account what percentage teacher salaries make up of the town budget when negotiating future teacher contracts. The upward trend is not sustainable, he said.
"We would pay all of our budget toward the schools if the trend keeps going," Selectmen Chairman Gardner Trask said.
Staff writer Ethan Forman can be reached at 978-338-2673 or by e-mail at eforman@salemnews.com.
