“We’re talking about children,” Coelho told Poulin, adding he knew Poulin wanted to talk about “refugees,” but they are children.Ĭouncil Chairwoman Rebecca Green, D-Ward 4, jumped in. DeBrito came to the United States several years ago from the Cape Verde Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, off the northwestern coast of Africa.Īfter Poulin was told all councilors were present, he asked how many “refugees” are in the state now. Poulin then asked if there was reason all the city councilors were not present Tuesday, singling out Flavia DeBrito, D-Ward 2, who was actually at the meeting.
Poulin, who appeared to be sitting in his vehicle while attending Tuesday’s meeting via Zoom, asked how much of the proposed school budget increase is represented by the “60 refugees.” Haley responded by giving the cost of the salary and benefits for a new teacher. The Waterville Board of Education and City Council agreed last year to increase teacher salaries in general to bring them more in line with those of area towns, saying doing so also was important to draw quality teachers to Waterville. He said the district has been told by the state to expect about 60 more English-language learners, or ELL students, between now and the fall. “We’re very proud of the diversity we’re bringing into the school system,” Haley said. The new position would be the third in the district for English-language learners, he said. Haley said the school district is getting more and more students who had fled other countries and by federal and state law, the district must be provided services. Schools Superintendent Eric Haley explained that the only new position in the proposed budget is for a teacher for English-language learners, which would cost about $125,000 for salary and benefits. The exchange occurred during a budget workshop to discuss the proposed $30.2 million school budget for 2023-24, a 1.8% increase to current spending. That is vile language and I will not tolerate it.”
They’re children who are living in this community. “It’s appalling that we’re calling them refugees. “I will not let anyone sit up there, resident or not, and disparage the work we have done,” Coelho said afterward.
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