05/16/08
Student participation marks hearing on 2008-09 municipal
budget
The Town Council's May 12 public hearing on proposed spending for 2008-09
was marked by student participation as the council considers a $30.7 million
overall budget proposal for next year
Councilors tabled approval of the budget, which includes town, school, county
and Community Services, to a special meeting on May 27, 7:30 p.m. in the
Town Hall chamber. The school budget that is approved on that date is subject
to a townwide validation vote on June 10. (Click
here for related story)
The overall budget proposal includes an 88-cent increase in property
taxes, up 5.4 percent over this year's rate of $16.46 per $1,000 of assessed
valuation.
Of most concern to speakers at the hearing, however, was the council's proposal
for school spending increases for next year.
The Finance Committee, a committee of the whole council, last month recommended
a $19.7 million school budget for 2008-09, an increase of 4.6 percent over
this year's school budget, but $263,083 less than the $19.9 million budget
adopted by the School Board in March.
The School Board's submitted budget is up $1.1 million, or 6 percent.
"A 6-percent increase to me means one less take-out pizza a month," said
Dean Way resident Dana Greer, one of several who said that citizens are willing
to pay for quality education in Cape Elizabeth. A 6-percent increase is enough
to cover contractual obligations and energy costs, she said, but holding
the increase to 4.6 percent would result in cuts that would be deeply felt
for years to come. "I would encourage you to be as brave as these students
that spoke here tonight," she told members of the council.
Of the 33 people who spoke at the hearing, 14 were High School students who
came in support of the 6-percent increase. Many spoke highly of the full-time
English teacher in the school's Achievement Center, a position that has been
identified for elimination by school administrators if the lower budget is
approved. (Click here for related story). Students
testified that their writing skills and test scores have improved dramatically
with the one-on-one support offered in the Achievement Center, which is well
utilized by all students, they said.
"If these articulate students aren't enough to convince you of the value
of a Cape Elizabeth education, I don't know what would be," said Shore Road
resident Gail Atkins.
The higher, 6-percent increase school budget proposal would add 65 cents
to the overall tax rate, 20 cents more than the Finance Committee's
recommendation. The difference comes to $49.83 a year on a home valued at
$280,800.
"I'd hate to see a great school fall apart just because they didn't want
to spend 15 cents a day," one student said.
Other speakers said that property values in town will suffer as good teachers
leave Cape Elizabeth, and its reputation as a quality school system erodes
after years of spending caps.
From fiscal years 2006-2008, Town Councilors pledged to hold budget increases
to rates no higher than the consumer price index, responding to statewide
movements to limit taxation. This year, the Finance Committee set budget
increase targets of 4.3 percent, and a tax-rate increase target of less than
10 percent.
'Unprecedented' economic conditions
Jim Rowe, chairman of the council's Finance Committee, gave an overview of
the budget situation. "I've heard the word 'unprecedented' used in describing
the economic conditions and economic climate in which our department heads,
our town manager, the School Board, the school superintendent and the Town
Council have somehow had to fashion a budget in which we remain sensitive
to all of our citizens - those who wish to optimize our programs and services,
and those for whom escalating property taxes are very problematic," he said.
"It hasn't been an easy task."
Cranbrook Drive resident David Hillman, however, said that the 4.6-percent
increase for school spending violates a basic democratic theory of majority
rule. He pointed to Cape Elizabeth's rejection of the Taxpayers Bill of Rights
referendum by 60 percent; and, of the Palesky property tax cap referendum
by 70 percent two years earlier. "We don't want artificial caps in this town,"
Hillman said. "I don't know how much more clear we can make that."
Not all speakers were concerned about the school budget. Two asked the council
to reconsider their decision to eliminate the $3,000 funded for the Cape
Elizabeth Arts Commission. Beach Bluff Terrace resident Clara Cohan said
she benefitted directly from the commission's grant program to build easels
for the Community Center, and that the funds the commission uses go back
to the taxpayers.
Councilors tabled consideration of the general-fund components of the budget,
which includes town, school, Community Services and county spending, as well
as Cape Elizabeth's share of the state's Local Homestead Tax Exemption, until
May 27.
School budget will require validation
Whichever school budget the council approves will be sent to voters in the
state's first School Budget Validation vote, part of the new school consolidation
legislation. The vote will be held June 10, 2008, in the High School gym,
at the same time as the state primary and referendum election.
Speakers urged the council to set the higher school budget figure to public
vote. "Rather than spend money on election after election, the people will
speak to you on June 10 as to whether or not they approve 6 percent," Philip
Road resident Kevin Sweeney, a former member of the School Board. Sweeney
said he lives on a fixed income, and will be negatively impacted financially
regardless of how much of an increase is passed. "But I do ask you as someone
who loves democracy, send it forth to the voters at 6 percent."
Advisory question added
While the council has yet to decide how much of an increase it will approve,
councilors did decide on May 12 to add an advisory question to the June 10
ballot asking voters whether they believe the approved school budget is too
low or too high.
Councilor Anne Swift-Kayatta offered the ballot addendum as an alternative
to an exit poll, which had been suggested as a way to gauge why voters might
vote down an approved budget.
While several speakers said they would vote down a 4.6 percent school budget
increase as too low, Swift Kayatta said, "I hear a lot of people say they
want to vote 'no' because it's too high."
Councilors preferred the advisory question over an exit poll because all
voters, including absentees, will have a chance to answer. "I think it's
a good idea," council Chairman Mary Ann Lynch said of the advisory question.
Otherwise, "we won't know what a 'no' vote means."
Similar advisory language is in use by other School Administrative Districts
that already have budget validation votes, and has been approved by the state's
attorney general's office and the secretary of state, Swift-Kayatta said.
On May 15, Town officials got an OK from the Maine Municipal Association
to add the wording to the validation ballot.
After the hearing, some councilors responded to some of the comments made.
"I don't think the schools are falling apart," said Councilor Paul McKenney.
"If the council chooses not to approve the budget for the full amount that
the School Board has requested it doesn't mean that we don't care about the
schools. It just means we have to balance the needs of the taxpayers, and
the other expenditure needs that we have in town, with the revenues that
we have available," he said.
One speaker at the hearing, Rock Crest Drive resident Trish Brigham, called
for creativity in finding alternate revenue sources. Brigham, who is also
a member of the School Board, suggested a followup to the town's Comprehensive
Plan, which identifies open space, parks and recreation, rural character,
and quality schools and most treasured community assets. "They all cost,
and they generate little if no tax revenue," she said. "I would propose a
followup plan which engages the public in a dialogue on how we can pay for
what we want," Brigham said. "I would hope that with your leadership, we
could find a way to accomplish this," she told the council.
Councilors said they are continuing to take public comment on all budget
proposals through email, mail, telephone and other communications.
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