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Hearing on Proposed School Operating Budget Highlights Differences in Financial Support Between Groton and Dunstable

School Committee held a public hearing on its proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2014 and some members expressed concern about the increase in assessments to the towns. The hearing was held on Feb. 13 and some of the concerns voiced at the hearing prompted the Committee to schedule several meetings to continue discussions on the budget.

The proposed fiscal 2014 school budget totals $35.5 million which includes debt service and represents a one percent increase. The operating budget without debt service totals $32 million and represents a 2.3 percent increase over this year's budget. Assessments to the towns - Groton and Dunstable - total $19.6 million and represent a 4.5 percent increase over this year's assessment. Assessments to the towns are funded through the tax rate and affects homeowner's property tax. Groton's assessment is proposed to increase $633,051 while Dunstable's assessment is proposed to increase $211,198.

While assessments are proposed to increase to the towns, the budget reflects a decrease in some state funded reimbursements. The district is projecting an $83,000 decrease in transportation reimbursements and nearly a $100,000 decrease in charter school reimbursements. Other revenue sources including state aid is projected at the same level as this year's budget.

The proposed operating budget in general maintains class sizes in all schools with only slight increases at some grade levels. It also slightly reduces professional staff at all school buildings - high school, middle school and elementary schools - to reflect declining enrollment. The proposed budget however adds one professional position - that of a technology director.

Much of the discussion among school committee members on the proposed budget focused on the increase in assessments to the towns.

Dunstable School Committee member Jim Frey said a five percent increase to Dunstable's assessment is a shock. "We need to look at how to reduce the impact on Dunstable," he said. Frey said the changes and reductions in state reimbursement for transportation and charter schools is having a big impact. Frey believed it would be very difficult to seek an override of Proposition 2 1/2 and increase the tax levy in Dunstable. He suggested the committee look again at revenue estimates and expenses before making a final decision on the budget.

School Committee member Jon Sjoberg said he doesn't feel constrained by what Dunstable wants to do. School Committee member Berta Erickson said the School Committee could revisit athletic fees when discussing the revenue side of the budget. There was no input from the general public in regards to the budget.

The School Committee agreed to schedule additional meetings to discuss the budget. The committee has until March 8 to certify a budget for fiscal 2014.

Groton Herald

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