Home economics classes at Barrington Middle School and High School, all freshman sports, an instructional coach for kindergarten through third grade, and some additional positions would be eliminated if a proposed $500,000 cut to the school budget is approved at the financial town meeting.

Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore shared a presentation at Thursday night's school committee meeting, detailing the likely impacts of a $500,000 cut to the school operating budget. The presentation was drafted in response to an amendment filed by Barrington resident Peter Clifford, calling for the half-million dollar reduction. 

Mr. Clifford said there are areas for better collaboration between the school department and the municipal government that could result in greater savings for taxpayers. But Mr. Messore countered, saying that the school department and municipal government already collaborate in a number of areas — for example, the department of public works recently began handling maintenance and repairs for school department vehicles. 

The elimination of $500,000 from the proposed school budget would have immediate impacts, said Mr. Messore.

He shared this list of expected cuts:

• Elimination of BHS family consumer science program — $88,914

• Elimination of BMS family consumer science program — $85,265

• Elimination of K-3 instructional coach — $44,892

• Savings through BHS retirement with part-time replacement — $59,598

• Teacher assistant-retirement without replacement — $20,380

• Elimination of BHS freshman athletics — $36,844

• High school staff reduction English — $54,693

• Subtotal — $390,586

• Associated benefits — $152,329

• Subtotal — $542,914

• Cost for unemployment payments — $37,050

• Total — $505,864

Mr. Messore said much consideration was given to the possible cuts. He said officials looked at potential future program changes at the high school and middle school. He also said freshman athletics is not a mandated requirement by the Rhode Island Interscholastic League and freshman student-athletes could still try out for junior varsity and varsity sports teams. 

"This wouldn't eliminate them from participating in sports," Mr. Messore said.

School officials appeared to be most upset with the potential loss of the K-3 instructional coach.

That would be "a huge loss," said Paula Dillon, the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. "That's killing me to see it up there."

Mr. Messore agreed.

"It's a big loss, but all of these are big losses," he said. 

The financial town meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 23 at 7 p.m. inside the Barrington High School auditorium. Taxpayers will be asked to vote on the proposed budgets and the amendment filed by Mr. Clifford.