The town budget can easily be reduced by at least $200,000: the School Committee has overstated its needs in several apparent ways. In the fiscal year 2008 special education budget, $50,000 was approved for a teacher. This position has not been filled. This year $63,000 is in the budget for the same unfilled position and one more curriculum coordinator is added for another $50,000.
And by the way, why did the $30,000 in last year’s budget that was paid for Cushing Academy to educate the Wormser child stay in the special education pot for this year?
Despite the current recession, Tom Jefferson awarded three lucrative employment contracts shortly before the March Town Meeting. Terms of his secretary’s contract include $52,000 per year, five paid vacation days awarded on signing, 20 days awarded on July 1, 13 paid holidays, 15 sick days with pay, three days personal leave, and compensatory time off “for work conducted beyond the normal workday or on weekends.” Nice work if you can get it.
And lastly, I understand that in excess of $300,000 is owed to the town in back taxes. Why hasn’t this money been collected? We do not need an override.
Deborah Skauen-Hinchliffe
Still River
