$900K in cuts not enough to fund teachers contract

Budget carry-over expected to cover $137K shortfall

By RICK GREEN, LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA -- Nearly $900,000 in spending cuts will allow the Laconia School District to come close to funding the first year of a new teacher contract, the School Board was told during a budget presentation on Tuesday night. Cuts include eliminating the high school dean and several teachers and other staff members.

The budget, which is to be considered by the City Council, falls $137,000 short of needed funding, said Christine Blouin, the district's business administrator. The total 2018 fiscal year spending plan, including federal funds, comes to $39.5 million.

She said the shortfall could be covered through carryover funds from the current budget. It's too early to say how much money the district will have at end of the fiscal year on June 30, but there is expected to be enough to cover the $137,000.

That means the district would not have to tap a $500,000 account the City Council has agreed to set up to provide funding in years when there is not adequate money available under the property tax cap to cover the costs of the five-year contract, which includes significant pay raises. The city will create that fund from nearly $1 million it expects to make from property it is in the process of selling in the Lakeport Square area.

The school district's spending reductions, announced earlier this year, come one year after the district cut $1.6 million.

Under the current cutbacks, the position of dean of students is eliminated at Laconia High School. Craig Kozens will lose that role but is expected to stay on as football coach and athletic director.

Also eliminated under the budget is a social studies teaching position at the high school, a middle school teacher, the adult education director, the middle school and high school facilitator, the elementary technology facilitator, a student services coordinator at Huot Technical Center, a reading specialist and two special education teachers.

The budget also calls for adding a woodworking teacher, a middle school and high school technology facilitator and a high school guidance counselor.

The plan identifies $110,000 in savings by relocating the Laconia Alternative Education program. It is now operated at 17B Church St., and serves about 30 students struggling with high school academics and deficient in credits needed to graduate. The program is to be moved to the high school.

The school district will present its budget before the Laconia City Council at 6 p.m. Monday.