BEVERLY — The School Committee managed to piece together enough savings in small line items to save a science teacher at the high school before signing off on next year's $44.6 million budget.
"They did some tweaking," Superintendent James Hayes said. The savings came from items like furniture and surveys. Otherwise, there were few changes to the budget the School Committee presented at a public hearing last week.
Layoffs still include an English teacher and a social studies teacher at the high school, along with cuts to technology, guidance and other staff positions across the district.
Cafeteria workers and bus drivers will also face a reduction in hours and the loss of their benefits, as it stands now. Union President Kevin Shea asked School Committee members if they would consider an alternative proposal that saves the same amount of money — about $75,000 each for bus drivers and cafeteria workers.
School Committee President Annemarie Cesa said they'd be open to other suggestions, but she hasn't heard anything further. Shea did not return a phone call yesterday.
The committee will hold one more budget meeting Monday at 5 p.m. "to determine a 'restoration list' should any funds become available in the weeks and months ahead," Hayes wrote in a message on the school website.
Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salem news.com.
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