School budget outlook bleak in Longmeadow

Date: 2/15/2010

Feb. 15, 2010

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



LONGMEADOW - Once again, a dire fiscal situation is being faced by Longmeadow's School Department. Given the task of cutting back 15 percent from the current budget by the Town Manager, the fiscal year 2011 (FY11) budget is projected to see a total loss of $1.85 million which will result in the cutting of services and 35.35 staff positions.

Town Manager Robin Crosbie asked the schools to cut $1.47 million; the loss of $41,800 in grants and $174,080 in special revenues, in addition to $100,260 more in salary expenditures from reduced School Choice revenue and $55,954 more in increased tuition costs from reduced Circuit Breaker revenue brings the shortfall to $1.85 million.

"The challenges are tougher this year than any I've faced in my entire career," Superintendent E. Jahn Hart said at the budget hearing last Monday evening. "The depth of the reductions and cuts resulted in an inability to adhere to our values."

The guiding values for budget preparation included striving to achieve the overall core district mission and functions; continuing the commitment to keeping our "eyes on the whole child learning"; maintaining workforce stability; and focusing on the impact of core academic delivery services such as class size, instructional and collaboration time, instructional materials and resources and early intervention and remedial support.

During a presentation at the budget hearing, Hart explained why these goals would not be attained in the next school year. At each school level, staffing reductions would mean larger class sizes - including jumps from 20 to 30 students in a class at Wolf Swamp Road School - and less programs offered. A total of 14.3 positions would be eliminated across all three elementary schools, along with math and reading remediation programs and the instrumental and choral music programs, and there would be reductions in kindergarten support, differentiated instruction and early intervention programs.

At the middle schools, 8.5 positions would be lost, including 1.0 English, math, social studies, science and foreign language teachers, 2.0 math intervention teachers and 0.5 music teachers. The middle school orchestra would be eliminated, differentiated instruction and early intervention programs would be reduced and teachers would have to travel between the two schools.

At the high school, a total of 9.3 positions would be cut, including 1.0 business, foreign language, math, science, elective and physical education teachers, 0.4 music teachers and 1.0 guidance counselors. The cut in staffing could have a negative impact on the school's New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation status. Additional budget impacts included returning the graduation ceremony to the high school, rather than have it be hosted by Symphony Hall in Springfield, along with reduced extracurricular activities and guidance tools.

"We haven't identified which particular courses will be cut, and we won't know until after registration of classes," School Committee Chair Mary Vogel said.

District wide, special education services, including English Language Learning, would see cuts, all curriculum coordinators would be eliminated, there would be a reduction in professional development and there would be a loss of textbook funding.

Hart noted that it was unanimously decided by district administrators that if restorative funds are made available that positions are kept at the elementary level.

"It is with deep regret and sadness that I submit this as the final budget of my career," Hart said.

Once she had finished her presentation, the School Committee opened the floor to public comment.

Roxanne Bannon, co-president of the Wolf Swamp PTO, was the first to approach the microphone. "I speak for many parents when I say I hope this is a first draft," Bannon said of the budget. "There are still too many variables." She said she was most concerned with the projected increase of class sizes at the elementary level and the loss of the remedial math, remedial reading and music programs.

Many other speakers shared her opinion on the music program, including a large number of students who had been a part of the instrumental program at the middle school level. The first to speak, a group consisting of Leah Brosh, Michelle Schein, Tyler Thomas and Elizabeth Deshaies, quoted former Arkansas Governor and presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee: "Ask a CEO what they are looking for in an employee and they say they need people who understand teamwork, people who are disciplined, people who understand the big picture. You know what they need? They need musicians."

"We haven't talked about priorities in restorations [with administrators yet] but I recognize the value of instrumental music," Vogel told Reminder Publications. "I know the importance of it culturally and how it enhances a child's ability to achieve in other educational areas."

It was suggested at the hearing that instrumental music be pulled from the school day and be offered as an extracurricular activity, for which participants would pay a fee. Vogel said the suggestion may be considered.

Several parents and teachers spoke up about the increase in class sizes from the elementary level to the high school level.

Mary Beth Vahadji, who moved here with her family five years ago for the Longmeadow school system, said, "It breaks my heart to see this budget ... You will achieve nothing with this budget."

"When is this town going to support our educational excellence?" asked mother of three Elizabeth Baron.

Sarah Morin stated that the town would see a loss of residents if the cuts being proposed are enacted. "Compromising the values of the school system compromises the value of this town," she said.

The School Committee had the option of voting on the budget after the Feb. 8 hearing, but delayed the decision until later this month, as the town's charter doesn't require the school budget to be handed to the Town Manager until Feb. 25.

"We want to take advantage of the time we have and look at all other funding sources," Vogel explained. "We want to talk to the Select Board about the assumptions they used for state funding why we're budgeting for a 15 percent reduction instead of 10 percent - and about the use of reserve funds. We want to look at budget priorities and if there's any flexibility in the budget."

During the School Committee meeting that followed the hearing, committee member Armand Wray noted that the schools have yet to meet with the local state representative or state senator to review budget numbers, despite several invitations.

Committee member John Fitzgerald once again brought up the possibility of an override to provide funds for future budgets.

The School Committee and the Select Board will be meeting jointly on Feb. 22.

An overview of the proposed FY11 school budget is available on the district Web site at www.longmeadow.k12.ma.us.