By Drew M. Bailey, Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – Residents made their feelings regarding school cuts in the proposed fiscal year ( FY) 2013 budget known during the March 20 Board of Selectmen meeting.
“Shrewsbury has balanced the budget on the backs of our children for far too long,” Margot Lafontaine-Flionis stated.
Officials had expected cuts to education spending, after the loss of state Circuit Breaker funding and increases in wages, special education, and other expenditures left a hole, nearly $3 million deep, in the FY 2013 budget. The shortfall has been filled in part by layoffs, some of which came from the town's Fire Department, but the majority of the money came from the town's cash reserves.
Selectmen Chair James Kane defended Town Manager Dan Morgado's choice to fill the budget gap in this way saying, “I think the manager did the right thing.” Kane went on to say that he did not think the cash reserves had been drawn to dangerous levels, and that they were intended for use in such situations.
Resident John Lukach disagreed, calling the decision “premature … and fiscally irresponsible.” He said that the school budget has grown rapidly relative to other departments, largely as a result of wage increases, and general mismanagement and inefficiency. He said that it was known well in advance that Circuit Breaker funding was temporary; as a result, he said, the School Department acted irresponsibly when they did not plan for its loss.
Morgado countered saying the town is “making tactical, strategic decisions that are paying excellent dividends.”
Finance Committee member John Masiello pointed out that regardless of the current situation, the town has consistently spent below the state average on a per student basis.
Resident Judy Vedder asked the board how they planned on dealing with the situation. “We can’t keep cutting,” she said.
Beth Casavant, president of the Spring Street School PTO, drove the point home. “How do we come back from a year such as this?” she asked.
“There are no quick fixes … there is no easy way out,” Kane responded, and confirmed that the town officials will do everything they can to manage costs and provide a higher level of service with fewer resources.
“What I would like to see … is a community effort,” Selectman Moira Miller recommended. “It takes the advocacy of voters to get the state house's attention.”
Resident Lauren Mitsis stood before the board with one thing to say on the matter: “Override.”