By Staff Writer

Rick Wright

One by one, eight Cape Elizabeth High School students defended their favorite programs and staff members against budget cuts at a public hearing March 31.

More than 100 people filled the high school cafeteria for the meeting on the fiscal year 2011 school budget, which begins July 1.

School Superintendent Alan Hawkins has offered three budget scenarios that combine cost cutting and revenue enhancements. 

The first plan would maintain current service levels and require cuts to programs and services. Without additional state funding, it would not increase the tax rate but eliminate 13 jobs, increase high school athletic fees, postpone routine maintenance and decrease staff development.

The second plan would increase spending by $566,000 over this year, add 31 cents to the school tax mil rate and increase the property tax rate by 2.5 percent, barring additional state funding. For a home valued at $250,000, this plan would add $79 to the owner’s annual property tax bill.

The third plan, a $21 million budget, would maintain current service levels and require a property tax increase of 5 percent. Based on a mil rate of 63 cents per $1,000 of valuation, this scenario would add $159 a year to the property tax bill for a home valued at $250,000.

The school budget for the current fiscal year is $20,005,086.

Twenty-seven speakers gave opinions of budget proposals the board is considering. The crowd also included parents with children in the school system and several teachers.

Most students expressed opposition to budget cuts that would eliminate the mock trial program, cut one theater course and reduce the stipend for a third play produced by the school’s theater classes.

Many students implored the board to save the jobs of two popular secretaries, Joan Moriarty, who works in the main office, and Barbara Cummings, a staff member in the health office. 

The first budget plan specifically refers to elimination of the attendance secretary and health office secretary at the high school. Moriarty is the attendance secretary and Cummings is the health office secretary. 

Elimination of these two jobs would save the school district $84,164 in salaries and benefits, according to Pauline Aportria, the school department’s business manager.

Cape Elizabeth High School Junior Ben Berman, president of the student government, was the first to defend the mock trial program. 

“Please set aside our funds so we can have a program at the high school,” he said.

“We are the next generation of lawyers,” said Olivia Babine, a junior. “Mock trial allows us to work on our speaking skills. It’s one of the biggest organizations at Cape Elizabeth. It is fundamental to our performance in the real world.” 

A.J. Frustaci, a high school student, was opposed to cuts in the theater program. Frustaci told board members plays include a diverse group of students and attract 2,000 to 3,000 audience members a year – comparable to crowds attracted by the football team, he said.

“A cut like this would cripple our program,” Frustaci said.

  “Mrs. Moriarty and Mrs. Cummings are the backbone of our school. If their positions were eliminated, it would eradicate a vital part of the school,” said Sydney Banks, vice president of the junior class,

Many adults supported student views expressed at the meeting and urged the board to maintain funding for extracurricular programs.

Cutting the mock trial program would save $2,520, eliminating the one theater class would save $7,400 and reducing the third play stipend would save $2,400.

Tom Cohan, a substitute teacher, said the theater program helps students gain self assurance and confidence.

“These kids are amazing. They are kind. They are polite. They do the work,” Cohan said. “I’m just adding my voice to the many here who are advocating for these kids.”

Other speakers supported the retention of the Mandarin language program at a cost of $9,664 per year and one school librarian position that costs the district approximately $75,000 annually in salary and benefits.

Some audience members opposed reducing a high school music teacher’s position to below half time. If approved, the reduction would save $22,000.

Bill Gross, a Cape Elizabeth resident whose son and daughter graduated from the high school, told the board there is no correlation between the amount of money spent on education and the quality of education you get for the money.

Mary Page, a parent, teacher and mock trial coach, summarized the message sent by most of the night’s speakers.

“As a teacher, I want my students to have all kinds of options. They deserve the best. I want the best for my children and for my students and I’m willing to pay for it,” Page said.

This was the first and only public hearing on the school budget. Public comment has been allowed in the last 15 minutes of school board budget workshops held throughout March and the beginning of April.

The board will take its final vote on the budget April 13. The town council will vote on it May 25 and the school budget validation vote by Cape Elizabeth residents is scheduled for June 8.