Lisbon School Department Messageon Proposed 09-10 Budget Defeat

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Shannon L. Welsh, Ed.D., Superintendent
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UNION #30 DURHAM, LISBON

Lisbon School Department FY 10 Budget

The Lisbon School Committee and administrators are surprised, saddened, and downright discouraged by yesterday's rejection of the School Budget. That it was done by a mere 6% of voters is all the more upsetting since we believe strongly in the need for an excellent education for our students; the negative vote by a handful of voters, many who, we are told, came in to vote only because they saw the "VOTE HERE" signs but had no idea what they were voting on would seem to indicate that few townspeople have the same level of caring.

To arrive at the flat budget presented and defeated yesterday, the Board had worked with both the Town Council and Budget Advisory Board to bring in a budget that was below the 08-09 budget and had no tax increase.

To reach that level, we had cut teaching and guidance positions; the facilities improvements required to keep our NEASC Accreditation were also included in that budget. Because of the lack of available money and our awareness of the difficult financial times, we had to elect not to participate in the State high school lap top program. We were unwilling to seek a tax increase to fund that much needed technology for our students.

Ironically, the voters who believe that the school budget was too high are now forcing another vote which costs and wastes limited funds. To arrive at a new budget, the School Committee will be meeting to analyze and discuss our next steps The School Committee will work with the Council to determine the timeline for budget adoption. Under law, the Town Council cannot vote on a revised budget until at least 10 days after the referendum vote.