Board sorry for bleacher collapse.

Byline: George Barnes 

ATHOL - Repairs needed owing to the collapse of bleachers in the Athol High School gym may add to this year's school costs, but next fiscal year's budget may have less controversy and more stability than seen in the Athol-Royalston Regional School District in a decade.

The bleachers in the high school collapsed partially Feb. 11 after a boys' varsity basketball game, injuring a student. Concern over the collapse and the potential for problems was brought to the school administration March 1 by Mark P. Brighenti, whose daughter, Sofia Brighenti, 17, suffered a concussion when she fell and hit her head as the bleachers collapsed.

In a letter to Superintendent of Schools Anthony T. Polito, Mr. Brighenti said his daughter has suffered persistent headaches and disorientation because of the fall and feels insecure sitting on the upper levels of the bleachers.

Mr. Brighenti called on Mr. Polito to make replacement of the bleachers a high priority.

Before the public hearing on the school district budget last night, the budget subcommittee agreed to bring a request before the School Committee next week to replace the 60-year-old bleachers and, at the same time, completely refinish and paint the gym floor, replacing any floorboards as needed.

Committee members at the meeting apologized to Mr. Brighenti and promised to take action to fix the problem.

Committee member Chet Hall III of Royalston said it would cost $85,000 to replace the bleachers if all the work was done by a private company. He said $11,000 can be saved if volunteers remove the old bleachers.

The Athol High School Athletic Association has pledged $26,000 for the resurfacing of the gym. Expected to be determined by next week is where Athol's share of the cost of the bleachers will come from and when the work will commence.

Although the bleacher replacement was an unexpected expense, the budget proposed by the district for next fiscal year is increasing by 4.8 percent. The new fiscal year begins July 1.

Mr. Polito said some of the keys to the budget include a drop in employee benefit costs of between 20.9 percent and 26 percent, owing to a change in the health insurance provider for many employees; a reduction in the cost of paying off the construction of Athol-Royalston Middle School and Royalston Community School; and school choice costs remaining the same.

The superintendent said he expects school choice costs to be much less than this year, but the Finance Advisory Board appointed by the state said it wanted to be conservative in its estimates and keep the same amount as this year, $1.84 million. Mr. Polito said he also thinks the health insurance will be much less, but he will not know for sure until May 16, when the enrollment period ends.

Increases also mark an important step in the budget. Mr. Polito said the budget includes a 35 percent increase in the superintendent's salary and significant increases for principals and the special education director.

He said the chief concern of every state and educational board that assessed the district for several years was a lack of continuity in district leadership. He said that when he was hired in 2005, he was the 11th superintendent in 13 years. He said the district has seen many changes in other administrators as well.

The superintendent's salary will increase from $100,000 in fiscal 2007 to $135,000 in next year's budget. He said a majority of administrators, including himself, are now signed to three-year contracts and teachers have also signed a three-year contract.

ART: CHART

CUTLINE: Athol-Royalston proposed budget

PHOTOG: T&G Staff