Schools' FY11 deficit decreases, but cuts still loom

By Jay Turner
Citizen Staff

The Canton Public Schools’ budget shortfall in fiscal year 2011 has decreased slightly from its worst-case forecast of $1.5 million and could be reduced even further, Superintendent Dr. John D’Auria announced last week; however, D’Auria said officials still face some “ugly choices,” including whether to bring back bus fees and raise athletic fees in the shadow of a successful Proposition 2 ½ override.

Speaking at Thursday’s School Committee meeting, D’Auria pegged the latest figure at $1.37 million after explaining that he got a “fairly good glimpse” of what the Board of Assessors’ revaluation of properties would be able to generate in additional revenue.

He added that the schools could also receive around $200,000 in state funds for extraordinary special education costs, and he did not rule out the possibility of receiving “additional support” from the town in light of encouraging talks with both the selectmen and the Finance Committee.

At the same time, D’Auria said there are “no guarantees,” and he made it clear that cuts will still be necessary even in a best-case scenario.

“If we get a few breaks, we might lose fewer teachers than the 18 that I saw in the worst-case scenario,” he wrote in a follow-up email, “but we probably will end up losing some staff and most of our cash capital (again); we will also lose valuable opportunities to advance our work with technology, the use of data, support for valuable professional development, etc.” (Click here for full article)

Cuts not likely on municipal side in FY11, but neither is new spending

By Mike Berger
Citizen Staff

Selectmen are not anticipating layoffs or any other major program cuts in the municipal budget for the upcoming fiscal year, yet they are also not expecting much in the way of additional funds either.

That was the message delivered Tuesday night to five of the town’s department heads, who appeared before the board bearing nearly $175,000 in new spending requests. Selectmen said the remaining 13 department heads submitted level-funded budgets for FY2011.

Town Administrator Bill Friel said the dilemma for selectmen is that there is only about $52,000 in projected new spending. Of the five department heads seeking new funds, Fire Chief Charlie Doody had the highest request at $79,878, followed by Veterans Agent Tony Andreotti, who requested $33,310; Police Chief Ken Berkowitz, who requested $30,483; Library Director Mark Lague, who requested $28,360; and Recreation Director Jeff Kaylor, who asked for $6,500 in additional money.

Berkowitz said his increases were the result of contractual obligations and repairs to motor vehicles. Doody cut his original spending request by more than $150,000, coming up with new ideas on overtime spending but still needing new money for diesel fuel.

Lague said that in order to keep up with the rising use of the library, he needs to increase a part-time position to full time and purchase new library materials for state certification, and Andreotti said he has seen a marked increase in his caseload, although the state reimburses roughly 75 percent of the associated costs. Kaylor asked for additional money for utilities, pool and playground supplies, and printing costs. (Click here for full article)

Local women combine efforts to offer fun-filled month of theater

Three Canton women are combining their efforts to create a fun-filled month of theater. Julie Beckham, managing director of Riverside Theatre Works in Hyde Park, and Ellen Orkin and Melissa Mayer, co-founders of Canton-based e&m promotions (www.eandmpromotions.com), are collaborating to make March’s Cabaret Month at Riverside Theatre Works come in like a lion!

(L-R) Melissa Mayer, Julie Beckham and Ellen Orkin

Beckham, former owner of The Greater Boston Drama Studio in Canton, grew up in Canton as did e&m promotions co-founder Mayer. The two have been friends since childhood but never anticipated working together.

“Basically I convinced Julie to sing at a Temple Beth Abraham fundraiser, then she convinced me to come and see a show at Riverside and here we are,” Mayer said of how this collaboration began.

“I’ve loved the theater since I was a child,” Orkin added. “So it’s a perfect match being able to combine my expertise with a passion of mine and help promote this wonderful institution.”

Mayer and Orkin are also promoting cabaret artist Lisa Yves, who among other things, performs a Bette Midler Tribute with a band complete with back-up singers.

“The show is so impressive. I thought, ‘This has to be a part of Cabaret Month at Riverside,’” Beckham said. (Click here for full article)

Deteriorating Canton High School tennis courts in need of some love

~ Meanwhile, proposed Brown/Billone Tennis Center delayed ~

By Jeffrey Pickette
Citizen Staff

The tennis court beside the playground at Canton High School has a crack splitting the service box, going from one end of the court to the other. This crack forms a perpendicular angle with another crack that runs up and down the sideline of the same court.  

This crack splits the service box in one of the courts.

Like many of the cracks found all over the five tennis courts at CHS, multiple adult-sized fingers can fit in these crevices. Even the court that may be in the best shape has a large crack that travels underneath the net, from one side of the court to the other. This is the only court without a significant crack that isn’t situated on the baseline or along one of the sidelines or another major part of the court.

The cracks may alter the path of a ball and change the competitive flow of a game, but they may also create some safety hazards that could render the courts unplayable within a couple of years, according to CHS athletic director Danny Erickson. 

In their current state, even with the cracks, Erickson said he “never felt that the courts were unplayable or unsafe.” Both the CHS boys’ and girls’ tennis teams will play this season as scheduled at the CHS courts. 

Erickson, however, said he is hoping to raise awareness within the community that the courts, built more than 20 years ago, are deteriorating. But, with the school system and the town both facing budget problems, there is no immediate plan to fix the courts, which the Citizen reported last March could cost upwards of $154,000. (Click here for full article)

CAPE 'Las Vegas Night' to benefit Canton schools

By Ruth Weiner
Citizen Staff

Gamble on an excellent evening at Las Vegas Night, hosted by the Canton Alliance for Public Education on Friday, March 19, from 7 p.m. to midnight at Lombardo’s in Randolph.

“Relax, enjoy yourself and have a fun night out for a good cause,” said co-chair Courtney Stubelis.

Fifty dollars per person includes dinner, DJ, and a token for free chips.

“We’re hoping it will be exciting,” said co-chair Kelly McGowan. “This is more like a party than a dinner. There will be a lot of mingling. People will come together from all over the town.”

You must register in advance. To secure a spot for the evening, contact either Stubelis at courtdupee@yahoo.com or McGowan at job51@comcast.net.

Rent A Casino has been hired for the evening. Tables include Texas Hold ’em, craps, roulette, Black Jack and a money wheel.

Dinner stations for salads and pastas, pizza, veggies, dips, crackers and cheese, dessert and coffee will be set up throughout the decorated hall. (Click here for full article)