Selectmen said residents cannot afford another large tax increase.
Aaron L. SaundersLUDLOW - The annual Town Meeting is set for May 14, but at the request of the School Committee, the Board of Selectmen has agreed to delay action on the budget until a later date in June.
Selectman Aaron Saunders made a motion at the Tuesday selectmen’s meeting to delay action on the town budget until a later date in June when state aid figures are more firmly set.
Saunders said there is a chance that unrestricted local aid from the state to the town may increase by $180,000 and that there may be a slight increase in Chapter 70 state aid to the schools as well.
In line with the parameters set by the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee Interim School Superintendent Donna Hogan has proposed a fiscal 2013 school budget of $25.4 million which is $579,000 less than the fiscal 2012 school budget.
She said the budget will require the reduction of 10 teaching positions and a guidance counselor which she called “a big number.”
Selectman William Rooney said the school budget is losing grant money, and federal stimulus funds to the schools are no longer there.
Residents faced a 7 to 8 percent increase to their tax bill this year, Rooney said. He said the taxpayers cannot afford another large tax increase.
Due to a projected enrollment decrease of about 60 students, school officials said four teaching positions would be reduced next year.
But they said the other proposed cuts in teaching positions which include a Portuguese language teacher at the high school and a science and technology teacher at the middle school will be missed.
“What about the taxpayers?” Rooney asked.
He added, “The taxpayers need relief.”
Selectman Manuel Silva said he hopes it is not true that the Portuguese language program is being cut at the high school.
Hogan said she knows taxpayers are getting by with less money, and for that reason she did not propose increasing student fees for busing, student parking and participation in sports programs.
Rooney said school officials should take their request for increased funds to voters at the Town Meeting.
“Town Meeting approves the budget,” Rooney said. “That’s the process.”