BEVERLY — Picket signs in hand, cafeteria workers and bus drivers lined the sidewalk outside the Memorial Building as school officials prepared to discuss budget cuts that would strip the workers of their benefits.
"I consider it a punishment," said Kevin Shea, president of the union that includes transportation, food services, custodians and clerical positions. "You're picking on the people who make the least amount of money. They're picking on the lowest of the workers."
The School Committee approved $2.4 million in cuts to the $47 million school budget. The cuts included reducing six cafeteria workers to 191/2 hours, and saving the district $75,000 because they would no longer be eligible for health insurance. Cafeteria workers make $14.59 an hour.
Members also hired an outside consultant, for about $5,000 from this year's budget, to look at doing the same to 40 bus drivers, who make $18.49 an hour, and three bus monitors, who make $11.44 an hour.
The move has the potential to save around $400,000, Mayor Bill Scanlon has said.
Although a major reorganization of the bus system may not go into effect until next year, Director of Transportation Bill Burke agreed to trim $75,000 now. How the cuts would affect workers has yet to be determined. School Committee President Annemarie Cesa said members have made it a point to make sacrifices across the board.
Another major change includes laying off three high school teachers — which will probably affect core programs like math, science, English and social studies — and possibly put the high school accreditation at risk.
Members also approved raising preschool and Elementary Enrichment Program tuitions, laying off two assistants in the central office, and getting rid of free bus services for students living between 11/2 and two miles from their school.
The cuts — particularly eliminating benefits — are unfortunate but necessary, Cesa said.
"We kept saying we're going to make some drastic cuts," she said after the meeting. "I feel bad because I know this is going to affect families. But we don't have a lot of options left."
Outside, about 50 workers protested as cars drove by, responding to the many "Honk for Support" signs.
Others held signs with slogans like "Obama wants us to have health insurance, you don't," "Find somewhere else to cut," "Mayor how do you sleep at night?" and "Who will be next?"
"It speaks for itself," said Mike Gendron, a custodian serving as shop steward for the union.
One bus driver held a sign that read "Leave the ladies alone."
The proposal included in the budget the School Committee approved affects six cafeteria workers, four of whom receive benefits.
Carol Raynes, who works 32 hours a week, said it's not just health insurance, but a reduction in hours that has people upset. She'll take an 11-hour cut and make $200 less per week.
"This is my job," she said. "This is what supports me."
"You can't live on 191/2 hours a week," added Charlene Donahue, who just signed up for health insurance this year.
The School Committee will present the budget at a public hearing on May 27 at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Building auditorium.
Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salem news.com.
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