Haverhill Public Schools expects meet a state deadline for setting a budget and making it available for public comment even though no one knows what kind of financial help the city can expect from the state and federal governments for the upcoming school year.
School Superintendent Margaret Marotta last week delivered two possible timelines to the Committee for its approval—one of which provided a little extra time for public review. Committee member Paul A. Magliocchetti, a member of the subcommittee that helped develop the plans, explained why he endorsed the one which allowed for longer public review.
“We were concerned that the public wouldn’t have enough time to participate and provide input. It’s going to take a lot on our part. We’re going to be very busy, but we’re going to get even busier over the next three weeks in order to get this budget done in a timely fashion,” he said.
Specifically, the timeline calls for a posting of a public hearing June 15; School Committee presentation Thursday, June 18; online posting June 19; public hearing June 22; presentation to the City Council June 23; a vote by the School Committee June 29 and a vote by the City Council June 30.
In the end, the Committee voted unanimously for the extended timeline budget presentation.