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NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. — The Northborough K-8 School Committee on Wednesday approved a budget for fiscal year 2014 that calls for a 4.45 percent increase over last year — slightly less than what was projected in January.
While last month's preliminary budget predicted a 4.97 percent increase of $968,035 over FY13, Assistant Superintendent Christine Johnson said school administrators were able to cut $100,000 from that figure by examining line items "very, very closely."
Specifically, the $100,000 will come from the out-of-district special education account. Johnson said special education spending often changes, depending on student needs.
Otherwise, the recommended budget differed little from January's preliminary budget. Johnson said there will be no staffing reductions beyond last month's proposal to eliminate two classroom teacher positions based on lower-than-expected enrollments.
School committee members unanimously approved the $20,363,312 FY14 budget, but not without commenting on the tight fiscal constraints.
The budget must now go before voters at April town meeting for final approval.
"There are a lot of things that could be, that are not in the budget," School Committee member Patti Kress said, adding that this budget does not fully address staffing levels at the central office. According to Superintendent Charles Gobron, central office staff members have seen their workloads increased by new state and federal regulations.
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