With an estimated $240,000 more in state funding than was expected arriving this spring, the School Committee is trying to look ahead about what that might pay for in the fiscal 2019 budget. Instead of listing specific priorities, officials decided to wait and see.
In addition, the committee discussed an idea for making up snow days by having students do school work from home when weather closes public schools, but many issues need to be worked out first before this possibility moves ahead.
Word about the potential added money came during discussion following a presentation by John Danizio, the schools’ chief financial officer, on Thursday, Feb. 8. Coincidentally, the amount is the same noted at the Jan. 25 School Committee as the estimated cost to fund full-time kindergarten teaching assistants, a key priority for the remaining money.
The fiscal 2019 superintendent’s budget, first discussed Jan. 11, calls for $65,860,321. This town appropriation leaves $851,836 to pay for the requests of all principals, estimated at more than $3 million. The town-appropriated budget for next year is an increase of $4,931,836 over the current year.
No formal priority list yet
Superintendent Kathleen Bodie has expressed priorities for that $851,836, but, in response to a question from Bill Hayner, she said it is not yet a formal list. The key goals for spending include teachers retention and compensation (just under $2 million), as well as addressing enrollment growth and reducing class size.
She noted some specifics: Proposed for Arlington High are 5.4 full-time-equivalent staffers (Principal Matt Janger had asked for 7.8). “We’ve been making do last couple of years,” she said. “We need to address” high school needs.
At Ottoson, proposed are 4.0 full-time-equivalent staffers, because of the change of a half-cluster to full and that some staff members are moving to the Gibbs. That includes 0.2 for world languages and 0.8 for a specialist.
In the elementary schools, 3.0 full-time equivalents are proposed for reserves. “One will need to go to Brackett,” Bodie said.
Apart from an as-yet-undetermined number of full-time kindergarten teaching assistants, proposed are a 1.0 literacy coach at elementary schools (needed, she said, for a couple of years); 4.0 elementary assistants, to help those on individual education plans; and a 1.0 social worker at Thompson.
Add to that full implementation for the under-renovation Gibbs, at a cost of $1.3 million, which the Special Town Meeting approved Feb. 12.
She added to the list — the need for another preschool classroom next year, expected to require two teaching assistants, which are not in the proposed budget.
‘You may disagree’
During discussion, Hayner raised this issue: What if the committee’s budget-spending priorities differ from Bodie’s? “This is what we proposing,” she said. “You may disagree.”
Member Kirsi Allison-Ampe said she understands the need for full-time kindergarten aides, but has been frustrated how the matter “hasn’t really been discussed.” She said the committee needs to hear from kindergarten teachers themselves.
Bodie made clear that elementary principals have made this an across-the-board high priority. “If people would come in and look at our kindergarten
Hayner said kindergarten assistants are needed for assessment.
Member Paul Schlichtman pointed out: “We are in middle of process,” no decision is expected until next month. “Having TAs will increase flexibility …. Two sets of eyes on a kindergarten class is sort of essential.”
Hayner that some kindergartners be invited, and Bodie said that could be arranged for the next meeting, set for March 1, the date of the public hearing on the proposed budget.
Member Len Kardon noted that, as yet, there is no full budget for Gibbs, adding that it would be needed before the annual Town Meeting, to start April 23. Bodie called this “possible” and said the process is taking so long because of efforts to be innovative with the schedule.
Work to flesh out a budget for Ottoson and Gibbs involves seeking a comparison between this year and next. Bodie is projecting an $80,000 operating expenses for the two.
As to how the budget message is presented, Allison-Ampe suggested putting things in a more favorable light by explaining what the public schools are achieving.
‘Alternative structured learning’
A discussion under the agenda item titled “Alternative structured learning” — or ways to avoid adding snow days in June — entertained ideas but reached no conclusions.
Bodie said providing students rigorous assignments done at home when schools close is “achievable.”
Allison-Ampe asked: “When you reach out to parents about this, does majority prefer it?”
Bodie countered, “I’m not proposing this for every single snow day.” She added that such an effort would be consistent with the district goal of encouraging more independent learning.
Member Jennifer Susse asked whether the schools were definitely pursing this effort and pilot it this year.
“It depends where we are,” Bodie said, adding that details with unions must be resolved and that discussion by the curriculum and instruction subcommittee should occur.
Hayner said, “We need input from parents.”
Comment from member Cindy Starks, a teacher in Lexington, indicated discussion with union members may be crucial. “A snow day is one in which teachers don’t work,” she said, counseling that the committee should not add to teachers’ duties, unless they are paid more for doing this.
Allison-Ampe added, “You still put a job on a parent’s plate” in supervising students doing school work at home.
There was no vote.
Jan. 29, 2018: Money sought to pay for full-time teaching assistants for kindergarten, AHS
Jan. 17, 2018: $65.8M budget: More AHS resources, new plan for kindergarten teaching assistants
Dec. 26, 2017: Citing enrollment, AHS, Ottoson seek staff increases
Dec. 15, 2017: Elementary principals seek $1.4M, but $650K available
This news summary was published Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018.
