Council members Huck Little and Peter McIntyre (left) listen as Supt. Susan Lusi, Finance Director Mark Dunham, and school committee chair Dick Carpender explain school budget request.

There were at least 300 residents at the Portsmouth Middle School this evening for the budget meeting between the Town Council and School Committee, and there was no secret about where their sympathies lay after they gave chair Dick Carpender a standing ovation for his opening remarks, in which he said the committee rejected changes to the budget because it would "take apart the educational system."

Council President Peter McIntyre asked attendees to hold their applause in order to get through the meeting. "I know what you're all here for. I got 114 emails," he said. "We're here to listen to you."

The Council spent most of their time listening to Carpender, Supt. Susan Lusi, and school finance director Mark Dunham explain, in detail, the rationale for the proposed budget and the issues with the Council's proposed $1.2M cut.

Lusi reviewed for the Council the history, since 2002, of rounds of staff eliminations, school closings, and salary freezes. She described the efficiency of the district, attested to by two accountants in the 2007 Caruolo action, the performance audit, and a School Data Direct analysis which gave us the highest return on educational investment on Aquidneck Island. She noted that since 2002, there had only been a decline of 65 students.

Dunham explained to the Council the misperception of an increase in professional services in the special education area. He showed how the state's newly imposed "Uniform Chart of Accounts" forced the movement of allocations from what had been two lines into 20, which showed up in a different location in the budget.

Carpender, in his closing remarks, noted the impact of a $1.2M cut on accreditation, based on the experience following the Tent Meeting. "We were put on warning following the Town Financial meeting," said Carpender. "If this cut was to come to fruition, we would be required by NEASC [the New England Association of Schools and Colleges] to report a significant change in our educational system. I don't say that as a scare tactic; I'm telling you that as a fact."

While there was no vote by the Council to change their position, there seemed to be at least some recognition of the need for negotiation.

Councilor Dennis Canario, one of the two Democrats who opposed the cut, thanked the school committee and administration, and urged the Council to schedule a working session. "We have a duty to roll up our sleeves and come up with a budget that will not jeopardize the future of Portsmouth," he said, making a motion to schedule a working session between the council and committee.

Fellow Democrat Jim Seveney was even more blunt. "Based on the actions of the state, the inescapable conclusion is that we're on our own. Whatever we do to shape the future of this town is on us," he said. "It's going to be a money decision, and there's nowhere to turn except each other. $150-200 on our tax bill; that's a little to some, a lot to others," he said, "Is that future worth that cost?"

Even Councilor Jeff Plumb, who made the original motion to level fund, signaled some openness. "The time for politics is over," he said. "It's time for us to get to a solution."

McIntyre, in trying to set a date for the follow-up meeting, tiptoed into a minefield. He initially proposed the Town Hall as a more conducive workshop environment for the Council and School Committee, and suggested that there would not be enough room for everyone. That provoked angry muttering, and a shout from the back of the room, "What about transparency in government?" That sent the Council into a huddle with the school committee to come up with a space.

In the end, the Council decided to move the session to the new gym at the high school; no public comment will be taken on the meeting, scheduled for the evening of Monday, June 21, but you can bet that a lot of people will be in the bleachers.

A big thank you to all the folks from Portsmouth who turned out tonight. To all the kids who played instruments in the parking lot, handed out fliers, and participated in this real-life civics lesson. Thanks to all the folks who showed up after a long day at work, who clapped, and wore red, and reminded the Council that it's not just the PCC who can apply pressure at meetings. You were absolutely great, everyone. Thank you, Portsmouth.

Supporters applaud school committee at budget meeting

So, Monday, June 21. Any fans of West Side Story out there? Dance in the Gym, anyone?