WESTFIELD – At-large Councilor David Flaherty, a member of the Finance sub-Committee, started the budget hearing on Tuesday by saying $1.5 to $2.8 million in cuts are needed in the city’s budget, which he said is fast approaching the levy limit.
“We applaud the School Committee’s efforts, but we also have other efforts in the city,” Flaherty said of the $58.9 million FY2017 budget proposal.
Opening the meeting up to comments, School Committee Vice Chair Ramon Diaz said his committee is trying to think of long term stability with the budget.
“With good schools, property taxes go up. We’re moving in the right direction. I’m very proud of our colleagues and our superintendent for doing the work that we have done,” Diaz said.
In her presentation, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Suzanne Scallion said that she has a tremendous obligation in her position.
“Out of $6.2 million of new request from teachers, not $1 was funded,” Scallion said of the level services budget the school department had presented to the School Committee. She also noted that they had already made over $750,000 in cuts from that budget at the School Committee’s request.
Westfield School District staff and School Committee members listen to the Finance Committee’s recommendation at Tuesday’s budget hearing. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Scallion thanked Business Manager Ronald Rix, Human Resources Director Jennifer Willard and Pamela Kotarski in the business office for their work on the budget since January.
“Giving out pink slips is challenging emotionally, and costly for the city,” Scallion said.
Rix spoke about the district’s savings in utilities, transportation and retirement.
“We’ve been very aggressive on retirement,” he said. Last month, the school department offered an incentive for early retirement to teachers with a $15,000 buyout over two years, in an attempt to avoid layoffs. He said eleven teachers took advantage of the offer, saving about $22,000 for each position.
“We saved six positions that we won’t have to lay anyone off through that buyout,” Rix said. “We’re trying to be creative and not waste money.”
“I seem to be in a contentious relationship with the School Committee every year,” Flaherty said, following the presentation. He said that he is a supporter of the schools, and would give them $1 million personally if he won the lottery.
“Nobody ever comes before us and says we have 10% fat in our budget, please cut it. In order to give your group what you want, we have to cut someone else,” Flaherty said.
Rix responded by noting that one reason the school department is in constraints is due to the stalled elementary school project.
“We’re in limbo – with a new school consolidating three elementary schools, we’d be reducing our staff by one-third,” he said.
“I think we’ve all turned over every rock that we have. We’re in good shape,” said Council President Brent Bean following more questions and answers. He added that the reason the date of the budget hearing was moved up was to avoid any huge surprises before June 15, when the district is obligated to notify teachers of possible layoffs.
“I would hope there’s not going to be any big surprises on either side. June 15 is a real date,” Bean said.
“We don’t want to lose any rising stars that we’ve invested so heavily in,” Scallion responded.
“My motion to the Finance Committee is to recommend a cut of $1.2 million to the school department,” Flaherty said.
“That’s 30 teachers,” said Scallion.
“I know, but that’s also many firefighters, police, roads not being paved, retirement obligations not being funded,” Flaherty said.
Since Ward 5 Councilor Robert A. Paul, Sr., who chairs the Finance Committee was not able to attend the meeting, Flaherty and At-large Councilor Matthew T. VanHeynigen had to agree on a recommendation to bring to the City Council.
VanHeynigen immediately amended the motion to $400,000. Flaherty said he wouldn’t second that, but amended his motion to $800,000. VanHeynigen said $600,000.
Flaherty said he would very reluctantly agree to the amendment, and recommend to the City Council a $600,000 cut to the school department.
“Obviously, we have to go back to the drawing board with all of these numbers,” Scallion said after the meeting ended. She said they have already extended the early retirement incentives to an additional five teachers and four custodians. She said that when anyone retires in the system, they look at the savings of someone lower in the pay scale.
“I didn’t expect any cut tonight. We still don’t know what’s going to happen. It depends on how the whole council votes,” Rix said. He said that he would regroup with Dr. Scallion on Wednesday to try to figure it all out.
“We always do the best with what we’ve got,” Rix said.
Although not surprised, Bean said he completely disagreed with the recommendation.
“I’m hoping the number gets reduced. I’m not supporting any cuts to the school department,” he said.
“Absolutely, no cuts to the school department. It’s the most important service the city provides,” agreed At-large Councilor Steven Dondley.
Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski, who during the meeting had said that in her 23 years of teaching she had been in the school department’s position and thinks the process needs changing.
“Because we pit departments against each other, we need to make some changes. They’re fighting to keep what they have. Every department deserves the money,” she said. “It’s like a competition.”
