Staff Writer

The Biddeford City Council on Monday gave initial approval to a $31 million school budget with little discussion and few public comments.

Councilor Clement Fleurent cast the only vote in opposition to a budget that eliminates 23 positions and 13 stipends for coaches and activity advisers. The meeting in the Biddeford Middle School auditorium drew fewer than 30 people.

Councilors gave initial approval to the $31.1 million K-12 budget and $650,943 adult education budget.

The budget is a 6.68 percent increase over the current year’s $29.1 million budget. The district faces a reduction of more than 4 percent in estimated revenue.

City councilors instructed the school committee to develop a budget that does not raise taxes beyond an anticipated rise from bond payments on the Biddeford High School renovation project.

During a May 2 public hearing, a handful of teachers and students encouraged councilors to reinstate $80,000 cut from the budget. The money would eliminate busing for students at St. James School. Their sentiments were echoed Monday night by an administrator and two parents.

St. James School Principal Patricia Berthiaume said the school enjoys being part of the Biddeford community and eliminating bus service would be difficult for families.

“If you were to discontinue this busing, it would really pose a hardship to the families,” she said.

Michael Gagne, father of two St. James students, said buses would still need to pick up public school students. He said he doubted stopping at the Catholic school would add much cost for the city. The city already saves money because it does not have to educate St. James students, he said.

“It would be a tremendous burden not just for family, but for the 180 other children,” he said.

Resident David Dumont echoed Gagne’s comments and said “buses go by the school anyway.”  He said the “miniscule cost” for busing is less than the cost of educating students who might have to leave St. James School because they don’t have transportation.

Mayor Joanne Twomey – who has said she would veto the budget if the $80,000 is not reinstated – said councilors will discuss and vote on the issue 7 p.m. today at  Biddeford Middle School. She said she expects the council to reinstate the money.

High school librarian Margaret McNamee told councilors she is concerned about the district losing four library assistants.

“Never underestimate the difference library assistants can make to school libraries,” she said.

McNamee said studies show a correlation between adequately staffed libraries and student success and higher test scores. She said support staff free up librarians to focus on helping students learn and nurture a love of lifelong learning.

City councilors are expected to vote on the city budget at a meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the middle school. The proposed $23.8 million budget eliminates 3.5 staff positions and is a 3 percent increase over the current budget.

The city and school budgets combined total $56.8 million. The total budget requires a 5 percent raise in property taxes.

If the budget is approved without changes, taxpayers will see an additional 74 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. That translates to an additional $148 on the property tax bill for a home valued at $200,000.

 A final vote on the city and school budgets is scheduled for June 6. A school budget validation referendum will be held June 9.