ANDOVER — Residents voted in support of the schools last night, approving a $60.4 million School Department budget that's $500,000 more than what selectmen and finance officials said the town can afford next year.
Even though school supporters got the budget they wanted, the administration still plans to cut $3.2 million in staff and services.
The opening night of Town Meeting got off to a slow start at the Richard Collins Field House at Andover High School, with residents moving through just 15 of 71 warrant articles.
Town Meeting resumes tonight at the field house at 7.
It took nearly an hour for residents to debate Article 4, Andover's operating budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, which was ultimately set at $132.8 million.
The budget is now $500,000 out of balance and will likely require a fall Special Town Meeting or other changes to bring it in line with local revenues and state aid estimates for next year.
"The likelihood of a Special Town Meeting in late September or October is very real for us, so we can amend and adjust and nip and tuck the budget as needed," Town Manager Reginald "Buzz" Stapczynski told the hundreds gathered last night.
Before the $60.4 million school budget was approved, residents first voted down a $59.9 million recommendation by the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee by a 613-to-354 margin.
Superintendent Claudia Bach told voters the $60.4 million school budget will require $608,000 in cuts at Andover's six elementary schools, $530,000 in cuts at the three middle schools and a $528,000 cut at Andover High School. Reductions to the School Department's central offices will total $771,000.
In all, the equivalent of 40 full-time positions are expected to be cut affecting 55 School Department employees.
Bach said last night that the $59.9 million school budget recommendation would require the additional layoff of 12 teachers, increased class sizes at elementary schools, more fee increases, and further cuts to classroom programs, services and supplies.
The current School Department budget is $59.4 million.
Town Meeting also approved $1.3 million for capital projects next year, an amount lower than officials said they had hoped to spend.
"Projects will simply be deferred," said Finance Committee Chairwoman Joanne Marden.
Approval of the $60.4 million school budget was bolstered by the strong presence of parents last night. Several dozen residents left the field house immediately after the school budget was passed at 9:20 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:12 p.m.
Bach urged parents to attend the first night of Town Meeting in a letter distributed through the School Department e-mail system.
"Please come and please tell your neighbors to come," wrote Bach in the e-mail. "There is a lot riding on the outcome for our students."
HOW TOWN MEETING VOTED
1. Report town election results: No vote
2. Elected officials not required by ballot: Approved
3. Maintain current salaries of elected officials: Approve
4. Fiscal year 2010 budget, $132.8 million: Approve
5. Fiscal year 2010 capital projects, $1.3 million: Approved
6. Budget transfers for current fiscal year: Approve
7. Supplemental budget appropriations for current fiscal year: Approved
8. Use of free cash for fiscal year 2010 budget: Withdrawn
9. Transfer of unexpended appropriations: Approved
10. Reimburse retiring employees for unused sick days: Withdrawn
11. Authorize selectmen to file special legislation to exempt the town from certain public bidding requirements: Approved
12. Amend selection process of Punchard Free School trustees: Approved
13. Renew the Federal Aviation Administration's lease of land at the Water Treatment Plant for an aircraft navigation aid: Approved
14. Approve transfer from overlay surplus to cover tax abatements: Withdrawn
15. $110,000 transfer to pay for repairs at Bancroft Elementary School: Approved
