School budget approved; cuts in staff, island school and middle school sports

PORTSMOUTH — The school committee approved next year's budget Tuesday night. The school district seeks a 3.47 percent increase over last year's budget. If adopted by the town council, the school budget would be $1.1 million more than last year, for a total request of $34,611,083.

Eliminated from budget:

* Six positions in teachers, elementary school nurse, computer technicians for savings of about $400,000

* Prudence Island School, savings not calculated but expected to be less than $75,000

* All sports at Portsmouth Middle School for savings of about $15,000

* Late bus runs at middle and high schools

* $168,000 in cuts that have not yet been identified

Copyright © 2003, The East Bay Newspapers