NEWPORT — The proposed $19.8 million school budget that was settled on by voters at the Feb. 1 deliberative session represents a reduction of $1.2 million from the amount originally proposed by the School Board.
The default budget is $20.3 million.
Residents at the deliberative session argued that school spending needs to be brought under control in order to stop large annual tax increases. But school officials and others said the proposed budget will result in significant cuts that will hurt the progress the schools are making.
Superintendent Brendan Minnihan recently presented a list of cuts that could possibly be enacted depending on which budget is implemented. These included a special education teaching position, a special education coordinator position, paraprofessionals, contracted services for transportation and contracted services for occupational and speech therapy. More teaching positions would be cut under the proposed budget.
The estimated tax rate impact of the proposed budget is 18 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation and $1.32 for the default budget.
Incumbent Jenna Darling is running against Kurt Minnich for a seat on the School Board.
Voting on the Newport school budget, other warrant articles and the election of officers is Tuesday, March 10, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Newport Opera House.