Southeastern Regional to Face Cuts in FY13

A budget proposed by the School Committee will likely see a number of budget cuts in the upcoming year, and will ask for more money from Norton.

Norton makes up 8.6 percent of Southeastern's enrollment. For fiscal year 2013, the town will be asked to pay $1,102,073, which is $3,605 more than last year. Most of Southeastern's enrollment comes from Brockton, which pays 60 percent of the school's district aid. A total of $7,969,220 is being sought.

"We'll have a potential small reduction in staff, administrative and teaching-wise and [we have to] tighten our belts - hopefully for one last year to try to get through this," Southeastern Superintendent Lou Lopes told Easton Selectmen Monday night.

Lopes appeared before the board with Southeastern School Committee members Michael Pietrowski of Easton and Mark Linde of Brockton.

The school's operating budget, which totals $20,439,028, will see a reduction in adminstrative staff by $104,236 and instructional staff by $447,430. Additonally, cuts will likely be made in non-salary expenses by $125,963.

The particularly difficult year is partly a result of the Federal Jobs Grant and stimulus money running out, Lopes said. The budget uses $60,876 from the Ed. Jobs Grant, which is $287,496 less than last year.