MARION — School committee members were vocal in their opposition to a proposed first draft of next year’s school budget, which would cut a teacher position and transfer one teacher to a special education position.

In the preliminary school budget formed by Sippican School Principal Evelyn Rivet and her staff, school funds would increase $188,024 or 1.73 percent. The most hotly-contested change at the Feb. 13 meeting, the teacher reduction, would decrease the budget by $80,394.

School Committee member April Rios was the first to speak about the staff reductions.

“I have concerns with removing a teacher, especially knowing the current third grade class. And I know [it], because my child is in third grade,” Rios said.

“The decision is really a function of increasing population in the special education area,” said Rivet to explain the increase.

“I hate to do away with one of the teachers we have. It is such a careful balance. I 100 percent agree with your concerns,” committee vice chair Kate Houdellette said. 

Committee members noted that the town has given the school a lot, however Michelle Smith also thought that reaching out to town officials to show them how the school operates could be informative.

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Elise Frangos said that she likes the idea of a classroom tour “for people who maybe haven’t had a connection to education in a long time.”

White said that increasing class sizes may also drive home the point about increased funds to town officials.

“As the class sizes start to build or push toward the 25 number I think we have a much better case to go to the town and start to ask for additional” funds, White said.

Other proposed budget increases are also related to personnel choices, including a proposed second curriculum planning position to replace the Frangos when she retires at the end of the year.

Superintendent Douglas White noted that the tri-town school committees have not reached a consensus on the new hire, and asked for two committee members to join a committee to study the issue. But adding a second position will result in a $20,529 increase to the budget.

Because Sippican School has not filled a media specialist position those funds will now be redistributed back into the general budget. There will also be a budget increase because an assistant teacher was added to the special education program.

Other budget increases have to do with transportation, including a new contract with a bussing company, and $17,000 to transport five students to Bristol County Agricultural High School. The costs for special education transportation are unknown at this point, White noted.

He closed budget discussions by saying “this is first draft” of the budget. “We’ve heard your concerns, and we will bring this back to the subcommittee and have further conversations before we get to a number that we all agree to.”

There will be a public hearing on the resulting budget at the March 25 Marion School Committee meeting.