After lengthy discussion, the School Committee on Wednesday approved two budget proposals for next year -- one without a potential $4.5 million Proposition 2-1/2 override, and one with the override. Both would result in cuts within the school system, though an override-approved budget would see less cuts.

The first budget approved, which district Business Manager Michael MacMillan said was a “level-funded budget,” (which appropriates the district with the same amount of money as the previous year) is for $26.8 million. The second, including a portion of the town's funds from an override, is $28.2 million.

MacMillan said that though the budget remains the same for next year, it presents a challenge because costs have gone up within the district.

He also said that override budget is similar to the balanced, level-funded budget, but that it adds several line items for needs in areas such as technology, specialists, and infrastructure.

The proposals are "to ensure that we have a robust budget that is sustainable for the near future,” said MacMillen. He noted that even the override-funded budget would still result in some cuts in existing costs and less cuts to faculty while the extra money in the most efficient way possible.

The first, non-override budget proposal includes the potential loss of around 34 positions within the district, and both include an overhaul of the special education department that could see one-on-one teacher-student daily interaction be changed to groups of four or five per teacher.

School Committee members support the override-funded budget. However, without any assurance that voters will approve a tax-increasing Prop 2-1/2 override, the committee is obligated to give Town Meeting a second, leaner budget that does not use any override funds.

Town officials, preparing a budget for the entire town, have taken a similar approach, sending two budgets to the April 28 Town Meeting – one with, one without override funding. The budgets also include a plan to reconfigure the scheduling at the Middle School as well as to remove after school bus transportation within the district. The athletics budget is also scheduled to see cuts.

Though those and several other cuts will take place, MacMillen said that if the override were approved, it would add improvements in wireless access, technology, and devices, among other additions across the district.

When asked if she thought the district would still be able to provide a quality experience for special education students with the changes, Dr. Sue Anne Marks, Administrator of Student Services said she thought they could still deliver service in accordance with the Individualized Education Program, which is aimed at helping individual students with disabilities receive education specifically built to suit their needs.

“How we deliver those services throughout the schools is still within what we consider best practices," she said.  “We’re looking at spreading out the way we’re delivering services."

According to MacMillen, if the override were to be approved, it would equal approximately 12 less faculty cuts, as well as to put $500,000 into the town's stabilization funds.

“I also believe that improving the financial standing of the town is going to help the schools.”