Date: Fri 10-Apr-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

council-budget-hearing

Full Text:

Council Hears Some Last Minute Criticism Over School Budget Cuts

BY STEVE BIGHAM

After last week's relatively quiet public hearing on the budget, the

Legislative Council may have expected Saturday's hearing to be a formality --

and it was. Only about five members of the public showed up.

However, the handful of residents who were at the middle school auditorium

were there for a reason -- to deliver one final tongue lashing to the council

for its decision to cut $800,000 from the proposed Board of Education budget.

The $57 million overall town budget for 1998-99 now heads to an April 28

referendum. Of that figure, $32 million will go to fund the school system. The

school board had requested a 10.1 percent increase. The $800,000 cut dropped

the increase down to $7.4 percent.

David Nanavaty of Currituck Road knew his comments would not make a

difference, figuring the council had already made up its mind weeks before.

However, he wanted to take the opportunity to explain why he planned to vote

against the budget.

"I basically reiterated my position on education and how I think it's a shame

that the council has consistently cut the school budget to where important

programs have been cut," he said.

Mr Nanavaty was miffed that the highly-successful mentorship program at

Newtown High School was cut this year due to last year's budget cuts.

"This year, the council said don't dwell on the cuts, but dwell on the amount

being given to schools," he said. "But much of the increase was due to fixed

costs -- salaries. What do you have left to deal with?"

Ann Meyer Rosa of Rock Ridge Road believes the taxpayers of Newtown would have

gone along with a larger budget, especially if was for schools. She accused

council members of being out of touch with the town and suggested they put on

their "running shoes" to get out and meet the public.

Mr Nanavaty agreed, adding that the additional $800,000 would have only been

an additional $60 per household, on average.

"I'm telling you now, I'm going to vote no at the referendum. It's because you

cut out $800,000," he said. "I will tell everyone I know to vote against the

budget."

The cuts to the Board of Education are not as large as they appear, say

council members, since the schools will still realize nearly $525,000 of that

through leasing and other financing strategies. A $275,000 cut from a

requested increase of $3.1 million is more than reasonable, they say.

The council will have one last opportunity to discuss the line-item dollar

amounts in the budget at a meeting next Tuesday night. After a final vote, the

total package heads to a referendum April 28.