This past Tuesday, March 15th, Finance Subcommittee Chairman Chris Casatelli facilitated the Committee's second annual Public Information Session in which the Superintendent addressed questions
e-mailed in advance, followed by questions from the audience. She noted in her remarks that:
* The budget is a living document that changes
frequently as we get more information.
* The budget process is interactive and
dynamic until the Mayor sends his budget to the Board of Aldermen (projected to
be early May).
* Budget deliberations will begin with the Supt. talking about fees (next
Tuesday).
* The Committee must send to the Aldermen a budget that falls within
the city’s means.
* The state budget is not finalized.
* Legislators
are pressing to raise per pupil payment to cities and towns to $50/student from
$20/student, which would greatly support our budget.
* The House
isn’t taking up the Governor’s budget until mid-April and then the Senate will take it up; then they’ll have to come to compromise (and it's possible that firm numbers from the state won't be determined until July).
Supt. Taymore addressed a
wide variety of questions including issues surrounding level-service vs.
level-funded budgets; ECC and/or Ed. Stations tuition potentially being higher
for non-Melrose attendees; Kindergarten enrollment, class size, and paraprofessionals;
the possibility of Assistant Principals for selected elementary schools; middle
school team structure, library materials, and Performing Arts Center; MHS
guidance needs, teaching area for a prospective new teacher, pathways, and
tuitioned students; on-line and blended learning at the secondary level;
long-term plan for facilities and the possible restructuring of grades into a
model like middle = gr. 5-7 and high = gr. 8-12 after exploration by the
Permanent School Building Committee (given that, after study, the Beebe is not
a viable option although the potential for using modular classrooms is also a
possibility). She also addressed questions on individualized learning,
Competency Based Education and Project Based Learning; substitute pay and the
potential to use parent volunteers as subs; athletics (including the budget
impact of concussion safety); retention of teachers and the related importance
of delivering the professional development that helps them advance by lane; the
impact of previously enacted legislation (like sterilizing school-owned musical
instruments), new legislation (like the Opioid Law signed this week for which
districts await state regulations), and the possibility of new laws/regulations
(like potential for state-mandated socials studies/history testing); needs for
additional certifications for teachers and how that reduces available time for
teachers to learn other things the district feels important; the continued need
for print materials in addition to electronic materials since research shows
that students prefer print; the potential for more vocational classes; educator
evaluation; current partnerships with other cities/towns to realize
efficiencies and improve services; grant funding and grant writing; English
Language Learning challenges; the Supt’s budget priorities; and the impact of
charter school funding on the district. Regarding making budget choices, Supt.
Taymore concluded by saying “Your willingness to sacrifice is someone else’s
need” so we can’t pit departments or groups against each other.
Ms. Casatelli thanked everyone
who sent questions and came to the session, and also thanked the Supt. for her frank
answers about the budget situation noting that it’s a challenge. She encouraged people to let us know their priorities for the budget and concluded by thanking everyone for doing their best for students.
Next meeting: Tuesday, March 22nd at 7:00 in the Aldermanic Chamber of City Hall!
