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May 29. 2012 11:07PM
Kali Johnson, a student at Manchester Memorial High School, and her dad, Michael Johnson, attend a rally before the Manchester Alderman's meeting outside City Hall Tuesday. (Mark Bolton/Union Leader)
Linked articles:
Parents say Manchester budget fight upsets kids
Gossler Park principal leaving for Brentwood post
Teachers, mayor say door open for negotiations
Manchester aldermen hold off on budget votes
Proposed school cuts prompt City Hall protest
Kali Johnson, a student at Manchester Memorial High School, and her dad, Michael Johnson, attend a rally before the Manchester Alderman's meeting outside City Hall Tuesday. (Mark Bolton/Union Leader)
School budget by the numbers
As the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and School Committee debate next year's school budget, they will be faced with filling a $10 million to $12 million budget gap: • Mayor Ted Gatsas' proposed school budget: $150 million • Board of School Committee budget request: $152 million (maximum allowed under the tax cap) • Amount Superintendent Frank Brennan says is needed to keep staff and services the same next year: $162 million • Amount represented by expected pay raises (before layoffs): $5.3 million • Amount represented by expected increases in staff benefits (before layoffs): $5.7 million • Amount of money that could be saved if all school unions make concessions deal: $5 million • Money in the school district's expendable trust funds on July 1: $4.8 million • Amount from expendable trust the school board has authorized to spend on salaries and benefits next year: $0Parents say Manchester budget fight upsets kids
Gossler Park principal leaving for Brentwood post
Teachers, mayor say door open for negotiations
Manchester aldermen hold off on budget votes
MANCHESTER — Upset by plans to cut education spending and by the way the city's school budget debate has been framed, about 150 people gathered outside City Hall Tuesday to dramatize their opposition to cuts in city school spending.
Participants claimed the school budget shortfall would harm education and ultimately drive down property values as potential homebuyers pass on Manchester because of concerns over the city schools.
“I want Manchester schools to be properly funded, not just adequately funded but properly funded,” said participant Lisa Johnston, parent of a Southside Middle School student.
The rally was organized by Manchester Citizens for Education, a group established last week to serve as a voice for parents who believe that city schools should get more money than proposed by Mayor Ted Gatsas or the Board of School Committee.
Gatsas has proposed a $150 million school budget, the school board voted $152 million and members of the parents group claim $162 million is needed to properly operate city schools.
“We've come here to put a stop to the nonsense, we don't want to be confrontational, nothing can be gained from that,” said Jim O'Connell, an organizer of the group and a Hillside Middle School parent. “Mayor Gatsas can be part of the solution, he does have a broad view of the city.”
Nick Want, one of a handful of activists who addressed the crowd, said higher taxes for schools would benefit all homeowners.
“If we have an education system that nobody wants to send their kids to, then the value of all of our homes goes down and every citizen in Manchester is going to lose,” Want said.
Parent C.J. Hebert complained that the looming budget cuts will set a bad tone for the future.
“The youngest, most energetic, brightest teachers got pink slips,” he said. “I am afraid for the town that I was born in.”
One of the teachers who received a layoff notice, Debi Rapson, a graphic arts teacher, said potential layoffs cloud the atmosphere in the classrooms.
“When you have a layoff, everybody goes into treadmill mode until things settle out,” she said. “The process needs to change because we do this every year, it's crazy.”
The parents group plans to hold a follow-up meeting in June at Manchester Central High School.
Participants claimed the school budget shortfall would harm education and ultimately drive down property values as potential homebuyers pass on Manchester because of concerns over the city schools.
“I want Manchester schools to be properly funded, not just adequately funded but properly funded,” said participant Lisa Johnston, parent of a Southside Middle School student.
The rally was organized by Manchester Citizens for Education, a group established last week to serve as a voice for parents who believe that city schools should get more money than proposed by Mayor Ted Gatsas or the Board of School Committee.
Gatsas has proposed a $150 million school budget, the school board voted $152 million and members of the parents group claim $162 million is needed to properly operate city schools.
“We've come here to put a stop to the nonsense, we don't want to be confrontational, nothing can be gained from that,” said Jim O'Connell, an organizer of the group and a Hillside Middle School parent. “Mayor Gatsas can be part of the solution, he does have a broad view of the city.”
Nick Want, one of a handful of activists who addressed the crowd, said higher taxes for schools would benefit all homeowners.
“If we have an education system that nobody wants to send their kids to, then the value of all of our homes goes down and every citizen in Manchester is going to lose,” Want said.
Parent C.J. Hebert complained that the looming budget cuts will set a bad tone for the future.
“The youngest, most energetic, brightest teachers got pink slips,” he said. “I am afraid for the town that I was born in.”
One of the teachers who received a layoff notice, Debi Rapson, a graphic arts teacher, said potential layoffs cloud the atmosphere in the classrooms.
“When you have a layoff, everybody goes into treadmill mode until things settle out,” she said. “The process needs to change because we do this every year, it's crazy.”
The parents group plans to hold a follow-up meeting in June at Manchester Central High School.