Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.

Superintendent highlights budget process

By Dr. Scott AndersEn

Superintendent of Longmeadow Public Schools



Yes, it's that time of year again! The school committee and administration are well into the budget development process for next year.

Again this year we are committing to have an open, honest and transparent budget development process. The school committee recently received the administration draft of the FY07 budget. Included with this draft is the "level service budget," which is simply the budget required to support the same level of services that we currently have for next year as well. The "cabinet" draft budget shows a needs-based budget based upon the revised budget priorities that were established last year by the school committee.

The cabinet budget also includes items related to the newly adopted strategic plan.

In the next month or so, the school committee is tasked with the difficult job of balancing the needs of the students in our schools with the financial impact those needs have on the taxpayers. This is not an easy job. The school committee welcomes input from the community during this process. They will again be hosting a number of public forums on their budget in January and February. Public is vital to this process.

I have begun taping a show called "Focus on Your Schools" with the help of LCTV. The first show is already airing on channel 15. These shows will highlight components of our district's operations. The first two shows have elements of the budget process, financial topics and information pertaining to policy revision and development. I will also be periodically highlighting "Innovation in Education" which will show some of the amazing and creative things our staff does each day in our schools. I am looking forward to using these programs to communicate with you. If you have ideas for topics, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Don't worry if you miss the original broadcast of the shows. They will be archived on our district website and you will be able to watch them at your convenience online.

Finally, we are beginning the process of reviewing our social studies curriculum in all grades. A team of our staff has been assembled to perform this task. They will be ensuring that our curriculum is aligned with the state frameworks and identifying areas where we need to strengthen our curriculum, materials and textbooks to best support student learning. This is difficult work, but it is rewarding as well.

This work is part of the curriculum review cycle approved by the school committee last year. It is important that we follow the seven-year plan to ensure that we are current and providing a high quality education for our students.

I hope that you will find time to stay informed of the work we are doing.

Use the website (www.longmeadow.k12.ma.us/dist/), the LCTV programs, or whatever method works best for you.

I hope that you have health, prosperity and the company of your loved ones during this time of years. Please know that the best wishes of the employees and students of Longmeadow Public Schools are with you.