by Frank Schroth

Last night the MPS administration detailed the steps that would be taken to meet the Warrant Committee’s request for a level service budget.

Budgets always increase. This is due to contractual obligations and other increases in non-contractual services in supplies. The administration estimates these at ~$1.6 million and ~$120K respectively. Hence going into new year with a level funded budget they are $1.7 million short. Here is how they would address the shortfall:

• make non salary reductions in the amount of $295,376. The lion’s share of this ($125K) would come from efficiencies and revenue to come from a solar farm yet to be built. As the administration noted in their impact statement, “The contract has not been finalized [and] there are several hurdles to clear before savings [can be] realized.”
• Cut 26.5 salaried heads – 7.5 district wide, 7.5 at elementary schools, 6.5 at the middle school and 5 high school teachers

Impacts include:

• Reassigning Glover 4th grade English class to another school (Note – there are two English classes or strands at Glover. Admin does not want any school without at least one strand).
• Elimination of elementary strings, band, ACE, Future Problem Solvers and reduction of art in Gr 4-5 to 30 mins. (Note: Recent future problem solvers have gone to state final level.)
• Elimination of health curriculum and self-awareness at Pierce Middle School
• Elimination of Math, Health, French Immersion teachers as well as librarian (Note: Superintendent Gormley noted that one attendee at a meeting in which cuts were presented said, “So – there is no French Immersion at Pierce.”)
• Loss of English teacher at High School will also necessitate elimination of debate team and Drama II.
• Elimination of Science teacher will increase class size for remaining science classes. reasonable to expect larger class sizes at all levels.
• Fall & Spring SAT prep classes will be eliminated and the library will close at 2:19PM.

Members of the school Committee made several comments regarding this exercise. Chair Glenn Pavlicek prefaced the presentation by saying that there was money that would be available. However, the administration had to comply with Warrant Committee request. Ms. Bagley-Jones expressed concern that the committee would be perceived as crying wolf given they were defining cuts that likely would not occur. Concern was also expressed about effect on faculty.

Gormley, Phelan, and Matt Gillis emphasized that this was only a draft. It was apparent that no one’s heart was in this. The committee approved the budget. The presentation was forwarded to the Warrant Committee and the two groups will follow up next week.

The presentation will be posted on the school web site shortly.