Last night, the Arlington School Committee unanimously approved a list of budget "add-backs," effectively giving the nod to the Bridge the Gap campaign, a local group of parents committed to raising at least $1 million to help the school combat its $4 million deficit.

With all of the members of School Committee wearing their "Bridge the Gap" buttons, Arlington Education Foundation leader Marie Meteer and chair of the FY11 School Gap Fund gave reason to hope.

"Lots of people have volunteered to help," Meteer told the Committee at the April 28 meeting.  Calling it an "ambitious goal" – the most ambitious school fundraising goal in the history of the Town, in fact - she said the team is motivated and ready to pass out fliers, buttons and palm cards. The campaign closes on June 7.

"We want to keep our schools at a level playing field," said Meteer, adding that once a program has been cut in one budget, it is an uphill battle to get it reinstated in ensuing years. In other words, the time is now. 

The add-back list approved last night by the Committee allocates $220,000 to classroom teachers; $50,000 each towards the world language program in the middle school (grade six), a language arts teacher to allow more electives in the high school, transition counselors to help students who had to take a leave of absence re-integrate, math support in the middle school, reading support in the middle school, athletic fees and Academic Challenge and Enrichment (ACE) teacher support; $78,400 towards elementary art and music teachers; $105,000 towards physical education on the elementary level; $25,000 each towards physical education in the middle school and art education in the high school; $42,000 towards ACE and drama in the middle school; $80,000 towards library teachers assistants and $55,000 towards traffic supervisors, a cut that had many in town crying foul.

Arlington Superintendent Kathleen Bodie described the decision process as very difficult and pointed out that even at best, it still only covers one quarter of the deficit facing the schools.

The specific add-back list approved last night by the Committee will help the Foundation reach its goals more effectively, Meteer said, adding, "When people donate, they want to know what their children will get."

In other budget news, last night the Committee also approved designating the $142,000 transferred from the Finance Committee towards three special education teachers and/or another transition counselor. 

The move was met with some concern. Committee Secretary Cindy Starks asked why those particular positions were being funded when so many others are being cut.

Describing them as "less glamorous" to fundraise around, though vital to the safety and well-being of the students they affect, Vice-Chair Leba Heigham explained the situation.

"These are students most at risk," she said, stating that the committee worried that those positions would get "lost in the shuffle" if not funded now.

The move passed five to one with Starks against it.

One of the most controversial moves in the budget discussions has been the removal of all traffic supervisors, a move Chair Joseph Curro worries the Committee "will come to regret." 

Last night, Kirsi Allison-Ampe, one of two members new to the Committee, explained her reasons for supporting the move.

"We are in really bad times," Allison-Ampe said.  "As a parent, I can protect my child to the doors of the school, but it is up to the school to protect their learning."

Other issues discussed and voted on last night included a five to one decision to declare both the Parmenter and Crosby Schools "surplus properties" and the public reading of the Superintendent's evaluation.