School Cmte Hears Budget Request for Upcoming School Year

New Bedford School Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin requested a budget of around $130 million for the upcoming school year.

Budget items included funding for full school days on Fridays for elementary school students, more money for school maintenance and a science curriculum.

School Committee Vice-Chair Josh Amaral says that he expects some budget items to be cut and that the final agreed upon budget will be a smaller number, but larger than this year's budget thanks to an increase in state funds.

"The net school spending number, which is the minimum required spending for the city on the school department, is $126.5 million," said Amaral "and I think that the budget we end up with, is going to be alot closer to that number than the $130 million number that's been floating."

Amaral says he expects certain proposed items, such as a full day of class on Fridays, are likely to be approved.

However, he says other items will probably be cut.

"Science curriculum materials may be something on the chopping block, because they pose an increased cost," said Amaral "something kind of intermediate is the facilities and maintence, there are conditions in our schools that absolutely need repair and replacement but I don't know if we'll be able to afford the full $500,000."

Discipline problems at Keith Middle School and other schools is something that will be addressed in the budget with $480,000 being included for eight new School Adjustment Counselors and more funding for alternative programs.

"I personally requested a presentation on pricing out what additional alternative programs would cost," said Amaral "one of the complaints I've heard from teachers throughout the district is that we don't have enough seats in our alternative programs so that's something I'd like to see that we could add to."

Amaral says they will hold further budget meetings throughout the month of April and he expects them to have a final number by May.