LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The School Committee approved a level-funded appropriated budget Tuesday.

 

The overall budget is proposed to go up by just short of $25,000 but that increase is being covered by unappropriated costs, which come from sources like grants or school choice instead of from town coffers. The appropriated budget is set, pending a town meeting vote, at $2,424,710. 

 

"The challenge is to recommend a budget that sustains the needs of the kids while being realistic," Superintendent Douglas Dias said. "[This budget] maintains the current staffing with the exception of the library."

 

The budget calls for a reduction from a .7 full-time equivalent position in the library to .6. How those hours will be managed is up to Principal Martin McEvoy. Additional savings are eyed to be seen in retirements and in new employees in custodial services. Overall, the budget was eyed to have a 1 percent increase but nonappropriated funds were identified to offset some of the increases — such as a loss of grant money and the busing contract.

 

"We are shifting some things to the nonappropriated lines," Dias said.

 

The enrollment is expected to drop by 12 students in the coming year. McEvoy said the proposed budget provides the school with some of its primary goals. The plan supports high academic expectations, more closely aligns curriculum with Common Core standards, and begins implementing a technology plan. All of which he says supports the school's mission of providing students with "knowledge, skills, and encouragement to become lifelong learners."

 

Lanesborough Education Association President Sean MacDonald expressed concern over the reduction of the library hours. He said staff is already being moved around trying to cover shifts in the library and doing extra jobs. He hoped for answers with how the reduction in hours will be managed.

 

"It could have easily been figured out by now," he said.

 

Others expressed concern with the class size of the first grade, which is eyed to be one section with 21 students. 

 

With little discussion, the School Committee unanimously approved the appropriated request from the town. The budget is not set until approved at town meeting.

 

Last year, the budget was decreased by more than $100,000. This year a zero percent increase to the town will be coupled with a negative increase for the Mount Greylock Regional School budget, helping the town manager's desire to keep the percentage of the town's total budget going to schools down. 

 

But, that doesn't take into account the Mount Greylock Regional School project, which will hit the tax rolls in a few years.