By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – The City Council denied a request from Councilor-at-Large Kathleen Robey to cut $500,000 from the Marlborough Public Schools” budget at the council's June 4 meeting.
Robey, a former 16-year member of the School Committee, said that in reviewing the schools” budget she discovered money in several accounts that had not been spent. Since it is expected there will be additional state funding and Medicaid reimbursements for the school in the upcoming year, the requested budget cut would not hinder services, she said.
Ward 1 Councilor Joseph Delano disagreed and said not only would the cut send the wrong message to the community; it may also result in possible layoffs and eliminate pay increases, he added. Robey then amended her motion to eliminate $250,000 instead of $500,000 from the budget.
During a prolonged discussion, the council members noted the need for more accountability regarding the school budget process but ultimately defeated the request, 5-6. Delano, Council President and Councilor-at-Large Patricia Pope, Ward 6 Councilor Edward Clancy, Ward 7 Councilor Donald Landers, Councilor-at-Large Mark Oram and Ward 4 Councilor Robert Tunnera all voted against the measure.
In other school-related business, the council passed a resolution noting its support for members of the city's school system and in particular, the students and their families.
Controversy has been brewing in the school district over the past few months due to a series of disputes between School Superintendent Dr. Anthony Pope, Mayor Arthur Vigeant and the School Committee.
Ward 6 Councilor Edward Clancy presented a resolution at the June 4 council meeting that was unanimously accepted by the council.
The resolution states: “Be it resolved that the Marlborough City Council does hereby express its support and appreciation for the Marlborough school system, its dedicated teachers and staff, and especially our students and their families. And further, the City Council confirms its belief that excellent teaching and learning occurs daily in the Marlborough Public Schools thanks to all involved, and that our city can boast of an excellent educational system.
“Therefore, the undersigned members of the Marlborough City Council wish to assure the public that we are united in our goal of continuing to provide a high quality education for our students within a framework of fiscal accountability. We look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Vigeant and the School Committee to provide the high quality services that our residents have come to expect and rightly deserve at a cost they can afford.”
In other business, at the unanimous recommendation of the Finance Committee, the council approved Vigeant's fiscal year (FY) 2013 budget request of $127 million, which is an increase of 2.84 percent over the FY 2012 budget and an anticipated increase of 1.1 percent on the city's tax levy.
