Officials Working To Avert School Cutbacks

School officials are urging passage of a 4.5 percent budget increase for the district this year, although a dire fiscal situation in Lynnfield has them bracing for other contingencies as well.

, School Superintendent Robert Hassett went before members of the Finance Committee to present a budget with a 4.5 percent increase and to warn that even giving the school district just a 2 percent increase this year would lead to massive cuts – including the LHS hockey program, various faculty positions, and a number of other offerings, such as some elementary school art classes.

Tight Budget Could Affect Many Aspects Of School Life

During Monday night's selectmen's meeting at , Hassett also noted that the district has braced for an even graver doomsday budget scenario in light of the town's budget situation. Under a scenario where the school district faces a 3.3 percent budget cut, Hassett noted, all of the cuts envisioned under a 2 percent budget increase scenario would still apply – along with the elimination of 19 teacher positions.

Fees, Other Options Eyed During Budget Process

The superintendent acknowledged that he has already been contacted by a few residents expressing concern about the future of the hockey program and other school activities and offerings. With that in mind, he added that the school district is still considering a variety of different budget options, including higher user fees and fees or other changes to the bus service.

In seeking a 4.5 percent budget increase, Hassett made the point that the has already been making very impressive gains with far less money per student than most other towns in the state - even those districts also considered to be high-performing.

Town officials have also acknowledged in recent meetings that there is very little actual fat in the school budget to cut. Instead, much of the current fiscal stress is being driven by rising healthcare costs for employees and higher special education costs.

Special Education Costs Up In Lynnfield, Statewide

Hassett reported Monday night to selectmen that while funds are needed for priorities like NEAS re-accreditation and photocopiers, the district's out of district special education costs have shot up 21.5 percent in the past year, while its out of district transportation costs are now up 27.5 percent.

Despite these soaring costs however, Hassett also pointed out that Lynnfield has actually managed to keep the growth of its special education tab below the statewide average.