District administrators and School Committee members are developing a budget to accommodate a projected $300,000 increase in expenses. To save money members sought to reduce costs in physical education and the school’s enrichment program.

Some residents protested proposed cuts to the enrichment program at the committee's Wednesday night meeting.

“Why are we even considering cutting a program that directly impacts the entire school,” Lynne Parks Kohl said. “I’m concerned that you as a committee would cut a program that’s been here for ten years.”

Kohl defended the program, which caters to academically advanced students.

Kohl’s children graduated from Sippican School years ago, but she said the program helps meet one of the school’s strategic goals – academic rigor.

“[The enrichment educator] is a resource for parents and staff. With no social and emotional program in place for these children, it’s vital we have someone to help parents, grandparents and other family members,” Kohl said.

She said voters should fund the difference in the form of an override article at Annual Town Meeting. The money would keep the enrichment educator on staff full time. If the reduction takes place, the school looks to save $44,000 by making the position part time.

Principal Lyn Rivet said the program benefits students who are high achievers. The enrichment teacher has her own classroom and visits students in grade one through six. If the cut takes place, the educator would see a reduction in hours, but would remain in the school. The move would change the program though.

“We would have to go back and look at how her role would be transformed,” Rivet said, adding teachers find value in the program as well.

Superintendent Doug White led the Marion School Committee through a draft budget that would be an estimated $110,000 less than the current budget.

Some costs, such as teacher salary increases and special education funds, are fixed increases. White said the draft budget was crafted alongside the School Committee’s budget subcommittee.

The cuts may not be as drastic should state aid become available. White said the budget was created without taking those funds into account in case they aren’t awarded.

While some cuts may be necessary, White said no teaching positions would be eliminated entirely.

“We’re looking to maintain the number of teachers we have in the classroom,” he said.

School Committee members said choosing the cuts was not a task they took lightly.

“It’s not perfect by any stretch, but our overriding goal…was to determine what can we do to have the least impact with these cuts on a child’s day-to-day experience,” committee member Christine Winters said. “The alternative was higher classroom sizes and taking away classroom teachers.”

Committee member Christine Marcolini agreed.

“At the end of the day we have to say where could we cut some without losing our classroom teachers,” Marcolini said.

Winters added that the enrichment program was “near and dear” to her heart, which made the decision even more difficult.

Chair Joseph Scott thanked Parks Kohl and others who attended. The budget process needs community members to voice their opinions, he said.

While the budget is still a draft, the committee will continue to consider reductions and hear resident's concerns. A budget public hearing will be scheduled for April to gather more public input.