Residents Discouraged About $3M School Budget Deficit

Residents aired their concerns over the potential $3 million deficit in the proposed school budget for the upcoming year.

About a month ago, the due to increased costs, decreased revenue and state and federal funding.

Thanks to the town offering $2 million in free cash, the gap has been lessened. But about a dozen residents came to a public hearing last night to hear the School Committee's plans.

"I feel like the $3 million is an insurmountable gap and there will have to be deep cuts in teachers and staff, which would cripple our schools," said Beth Casavant, PTO President and mother of two. "There are fixed amount like the rising costs of special education and outside placements, and the town should have a vested interested in the increasing performance of the school district."

She said future cuts could affect the progress the Shrewsbury schools have made in recent years and a great school district positively affects housing pricing to every homeowner.

School Committee Chairman John Samia said another public hearing has been scheduled for March after the school budget is finalized.