If not restored later, the school budget cut will impact student services and possibly close schools.
WESTFIELD - Despite a last-minute plea from teachers and residents to protect school funding, the City Council Wednesday night approved a new city budget that eliminates more than $860,000 from the School Department.
But, that amount can be added to the city’s Fiscal 2011 budget at a later date with a transfer from city reserve accounts. That is expected to happen this fall as city officials then prepare to set the new fiscal year property tax rate.
Otherwise the $864,345 budget cut originally voted by the council last Thursday could to lead to additional teacher layoffs, reduction or elimination of student programs and possibly close some schools for the fiscal year that stated today. The department has already served layoff notices to at least 13 teachers effective June 30.
More than 40 teachers and residents crowded City Council Chambers Wednesday night after City Councilor David A. Flaherty and 10 registered voters petitioned for the a public hearing on the $117 million budget presented by Mayor Daniel M. Knapik.
Several people, including former City Councilor Charles W. Medeiros, appealed to the council to reconsider the school cut because of the impact on students and quality of life issues.
But, a reconsideration of last week’s vote would have required yes votes by nine councilors last night. Only eight were present. And, if all 13 councilors had been present, five have a conflict of interest because relatives working within the School Department and cannot vote on school funding.
A future transfer will also require nine affirmative votes. But, officials explained that an emergency situation could be declared, and after explanation of individual conflict, the entire council membership could vote.
While the City Council cannot dictate specific areas within the school budget to cut funding, the action was aimed directly at teachers who have refused to consider contract concessions approved by other municipal labor groups involving furlough days. Also, teachers are in line for step increases in their salaries effective July 1 while other labor groups will see no pay increases this year.
The final budget approved, and in effect at 12 a.m. Thursday, amounts to a total $116,231,775. Of that amount $103,989,748 will be spent by city departments and the School Department. The remaining amount represents budgets for self-sustaining departments like water and wastewater treatment which are funded through user fees.
In addition to the school cut, other cuts in the mayor’s requested $117 million budget was $50,000 from overtime in Waste Water Treatment Department; $38,293 from Water Department overtime; $50,000 from short-term debt interest and $6,750 from purchase of services within the Engineering Department. The council also cut funding to the mayor’s office by $6,500.
The Flaherty petition was filed last Friday, citing an obscure state law that required a seven-day notice of the requested hearing.
The hearing was held short of the seven days because other state statutes require passage of a new budget before the end the fiscal year. The city’s Law Department determined that although Wednesday’s hearing did not meet the seven-day notice, the budget adoption mandate takes precedent.
