At an informational session this afternoon, Portsmouth School Superintendent Dr. Susan Lusi briefed representatives from the PTO and school booster organizations on the FY2008 budget, scheduled to be presented to the Town Council on May 16. The bottom line, as those who have followed the meetings know, is that the budget, with only a 3.96% increase, comes in under the cap.

"In any other year, you'd be a hero," said one PTO leader. Despite much remorse over the need to close Prudence Island, there was general approval for the strategy of making cuts in ways that impacted students the least.

All is not well, however. According to the preliminary Town budget, there is a plan to cut the so-called "warrant items," which are earmarked funds on the Town side for capital expenditures like school maintenance and technology. The revenue side of the school budget could not absorb that kind of hit — potentially, about 350K — without additional reductions.

What would that mean? No way to know, really, other than that there is not $350K of fat in this budget. And in many ways, the cleverness of Dr. Lusi and the School Committee at finding areas that don't affect students are, perversely, working against them. Not like what would happen if they threatened to slash athletics, AP courses, or band.

"The result of making cuts the way we have, without impacting kids," said Lusi, "Is that you don't have people in the streets."

The PTOs and booster representatives were unanimous in their determination to do whatever it takes to make up what they can, but the public, parents especially, should take a look at the budget (which will soon be available on the School web site) and plan to show up at the May 16 meeting when it's presented to the Council.

I was in the audience at the bitter School Committee meeting where the decision was made to close Prudence Island. A word to the wise for all my fellow parents: let's be there this time before any decisions are finalized.

Once we lose something in this budget climate, it's gone forever.