Layoffs prevented with final FreeLake budget

LAKEVILLE — No layoffs will be needed next year in the Freetown-Lakeville school district, based on a budget passed May 7 by the School Committee.

This is the latest and final iteration of a budget that at one time called for 17 positions to be eliminated.

Reaching a budget number that saved all current staffing was done through a series of financial moves.

This included making additional cuts to operational expenses, using $400,000 in school choice funds, which might be reduced if additional state funding is received, and moving $250,000 from the excess and deficiency account. This account represents surplus from previous budgets.

The district had originally sought a budget of $49,135,217, which would have funded all current staffing and expenses.

Town officials raised concerns about this figure and requested about a million dollars in reductions, Director of Finance John Higgins said.

The reduction would have resulted in the potential loss of 17 positions.

Educators had vocally opposed these cuts, saying that the quality of education would be negatively impacted. School Committee members also requested further work on the budget to save the positions.

This resulted in the decision to use the school choice funds and excess and deficiency accounts to bolster the budget and maintain current staff.

While this final budget of $48,225,033 will maintain all current staff members, seven positions will not be filled. These positions are held by retiring staff members and employees whose contracts were not renewed because of their performance so no layoffs will be needed.

With enrollment declines, opting not to fill those positions was “fiscally responsible,’’ Interim Superintendent Dr. Barbara Starkie said.

Committee member Crystal Ng questioned the number of administrative positions and asked why cuts were not considered in that area. She mentioned in particular the need for two assistant principals at Apponequet Regional High School and a scheduler for the special education department.

“I don’t want anyone to lose their jobs but I see positions I don’t know what their purpose is,’’ she said.

Using excess and deficiency money is a “slippery slope,’’ she said. “What happens next year?’’ she asked. “Where is the money going to come from?’’

Relying on one-time funds would merely “kick the can down the road,’’ committee member Courtney Brightman said. She and Ng voted against the budget.

Lakeville Select Board member Christopher Plonka described the use of excess and deficiency money as “fiscally irresponsible’’ and encouraged committee members to reject the budget. He noted he was speaking as an individual and not as a member of the Select Board.