Council Asked To Consider Additional Funding For Schools

A member of the New Bedford School Committee is asking the City Council to approve a provision in state law that will allow the Council to consider two budget proposals for New Bedford Schools.

School Committee member Bruce Oliveira told WBSM News, " that particular amendment would say that the School Committee would have the ability to recommend to the Council that they accept the School Committee's budget over whatever number was in the Mayor's budget."

Oliveira says as a matter of fairness, he thinks the Council should hear from school officials on exactly why they want additional funding.  "I just think it would be proper for the School Department and the Superintendent to have an opportunity to defend why the School Committee would ask for a different number than a sitting Mayor would propose" said Oliveira.

The School Committee recently approved a budget of $120-million, however Mayor Jon Mitchell said that was too expensive.  He's submitted a school budget of $118 million as part of his proposed city budget.