New London - The City Council Finance Committee voted Thursday to fund the proposed 2010-11 education budget at the current level of $40.05 million, $1 million less than the figure the Board of Education approved in February.

If the school budget, which increased mainly because of contractual obligations to staff and a spike in transportation costs, remains the same at the final vote on the city budget in May, the equivalent of between 10 and 16 teaching positions could be cut.

Board member Bill Morse said the school board would seek savings in areas outside the classroom, such as in programs, supplies and other staff.

"If we are still short, we will look at the teaching staff as a last resort," Morse said.

School board President Alvin Kinsall said he expected the Finance Committee to flat-fund the education budget.

Kinsall, however, was not in attendance at the finance meeting at City Hall. He, along with board member Susan Connolly, Superintendent of Schools Nicholas A. Fischer, Assistant Superintendent Christine Carver and school Finance Director Maria Whalen, walked out of council chambers because the meeting started 20 minutes behind schedule.

"It's common courtesy," Fischer said to Mayor Rob Pero, upon exiting the council chamber. "It's been 20 minutes."

Pero could not call the Finance Committee to order at the stated start time of 5 p.m. because of a lack of a quorum, which required three of the five members to be present.

Committee member Deputy Mayor Adam Sprecace was reading a proclamation at a room dedication at the Covenant Shelter, while Councilor Michael Buscetto III said he was stuck in rush-hour traffic near downtown.

Martin Olsen was in attendance, and while Councilor Wade Hyslop was scheduled to show at 6 p.m., he was also late getting to City Hall.

Morse, along with board members Jason Catala and Ronna Stuller, remained to answer questions from the committee. Board members Barbara Major and Louise Hanrahan did not attend the meeting.

Pero called the walkout "adolescent."

"It's a shame, really," Pero said. "We're all volunteers here and walking out just creates controversy."

At the regular school board meeting later in the evening, the board voted 4-3 to find a facilitator for the next joint Board of Education-City Council meeting, scheduled for May, after some board members said the session held in March was overly contentious. Hanrahan, who introduced the motion, said the meetings would be more productive if they were run by a facilitator.

Major, who along with Stuller and Catala voted against the motion, said an independent person to run the meeting was unnecessary.

"I think we can get through this," Major said.

s.chupaska@theday.com