$8.7 million school budget headed to Brookline voters next month

BROOKLINE – The Brookline School Board met Wednesday night to hear public opinion on an $8.7 million proposed budget for the 2013-14 school year. The budget reflects an overall increase of 3.8 percent. School Board Vice President Pat Lynch went through a presentation of each of the warrant articles. Warrant Articles 1 and 2 covered the main operating budget of $8.7 million. Finance Committee member Linda Chomiak said she was concerned about money being spent on the school’s computers and suggested that a plan be put in place for doing preventive maintenance on the buildings, which she said would lower costs in the long run. Chris Adams said $25,000 had already been removed from the computer budget from last year’s budget. The board voted unanimously to recommend the articles. Article 3 would raise almost $57,000 for support staff salary increases and benefits for the 2013-14 school year after negotiations between the union and school board.