Pleas arrive without estimated costs
Citing enrollment pressure on both schools, the top leaders at Arlington High and Ottoson are requesting increases in staffing in the fiscal 2019 budget, without estimating what that will cost. Elementary principals included a bottom-line total in its requests.
Dr. Matthew Janger, the AHS principal, seeks a full-time dean and 7.2 full-time-equivalent teachers to meet needs.
Interim Principal Eileen Woods has asked for two teaching assistants, 1.5 adjustment counselors to maintain two at each grade level, 0.2 teacher for Spanish, 0.4 visual-arts teacher as well as supplies and textbooks.
The only AHS budget request that included a dollar figure was for athletics, which seek an increase of $29,800. That includes $10,000 for rink costs and transportation.
Fueling these pleas, made to the School Committee on Dec. 14, were enrollment growth in both schools and, in the case of Ottoson, by the moving of the sixth grade to the under-renovation Gibbs school.
The committee also heard from the Arlington Educational Association president, but no report for that presentation was available online.
Janger: Enrollment growth outpaces staffing
In his presentation, Janger reminded the committee that over the last four years the high school asked for staffing to keep up with enrollment but has been given less than what was needed. Each year, he concluded, the high school has been “falling increasingly behind.” He declared that the situation was now “unsustainable” and has put “increasing pressure on students and teachers.” While some staff for core courses have been awarded, some additional teachers and electives have not received an increase in staffing, causing a shortage that makes it difficult for students to arrange their class schedules.
Committee members heard statistics about high school enrollment that shows accelerated growth. While experiencing an overall enrollment growth of 111 students since the 2012-13 school year, an additional 76 students are expected next year. The high school now enrolls 1,328 students. Estimates predict that the school will enroll 1,576 students by 2021.
Janger, in agreement with his staff and administration, announced that the first priority was to increase the third dean position (now 0.6) to full time. Additional teachers in core subjects, elective offerings, Curriculum B-level courses (co-taught courses to accelerate student learning) and world languages were also vitally important to meet the increase in enrollment, he said.
Guidance has counselors who deal with an average of 266 students — the recommended maximum load is 250 — and the current number is projected to rise to 281 students next year. The department will minimally need an additional 0.6 full-time equivalent. See the full AHS report here >>
As 6th grade moves, rising enrollment shapes Ottoson requests
Woods explained to the committee that both the loss of staff positions to the Gibbs and increased enrollment for the remaining seventh and eighth grades were factors in the Ottoson’s need for additional staff. Larger enrollment in the seventh and eighth grade require the school to move away from the “split cluster model” and support four full clusters in those two grades, she said.
She reported that next year’s seventh-grade class would have 445 students and the eighth grade 414. Creating four full clusters would decrease class size, make scheduling of foreign languages easier and allow teachers’ common planning time.
The movement of some staff to the Gibbs would leave vacancies that need to be filled. For instance, two adjustment counselors will move to the Gibbs. To maintain two for each grade, the Ottoson is requesting additional 1.5 adjustment counselors.
In addition, once the visual-art teacher moves to the Gibbs, the Ottoson will need 0.4 increase in a visual-arts teacher, so there will be two full-time equivalent teachers for art at the Ottoson. Read the full Ottoson report here >>
Jason Levy, president of the Arlington Education Association (AEA), read the union’s requests for increased staffing in the and the high school. For both, the AEA requests mirrored those of the respective principals, with one exception: the AEA included a request that of wages for teachers, teaching assistants and other staff be aligned with those in neighboring communities.
Dec. 15, 2017: Elementary principals seek $1.4M, but $650K available
This news summary by YourArlington freelance Jo Anne Preston was published Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017.
