Framingham Parents Support Boost For Gifted Students Program

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The proposed FY20 budget made another round in front of the School Committee Wednesday, but this time, the public was able to give their input on the $140 million budget. The proposed budget is $140,546,821, a 5.7 percent increase over the FY19 operating budget. The FY20 budget also sets aside increases for an expansion of the dual language program, a rollout of a 1:1 Chromebook program and increased funding to the Sage program.

Several parents from students in the district voiced their support for the proposed budget. A handful of parents thanked the superintendent specifically for the clarity and increase in the Sage department budget. Last year, parents voiced concerns to the district that Sage funding and programming was not made clear and some feared the programs would disappear.

"Thank you for listening to families," said Anne Fernandez, a District 2 resident and parent of two children in the Sage program. Fernandez represented a Sage parent advocacy group and said "Increasing teachers and Sage programing is essential to maintain quality programing." The Sage budget would increase by $97,730, with the majority of the money going toward staffing and screening more students. A smaller portion of the budget would go to curriculum and universal screening materials.

Another parent, Angie Carol, said her son was thriving in Stapleton's Sage program. "It's been life changing for our family, the support for not only my son but my daughter as well," she said, both students attend Stapleton. Carol also gave some perspective on the dual language program which she witnessed in action as a substitute teacher at Barbieri. "It was amazing to see these children in this program speaking two different languages like nobody's business," she said, "Seeing the light of learning in their eyes, it was just amazing."

The dual language program started at Barbieri and through the FY20 budget will expand to include a two-way Spanish program at Brophy Elementary and a two-way Portuguese program at Woodrow Wilson. The the Bilingual Language Department budget will be increased by $59,230 under the proposed FY20 budget.

Former School Committee Chair and District 2 resident Adam Blumer applauded the School Committee and Superintendent on the proposed budget. He suggested adding previous budget increases into the budget book to offer readers perspective on how this budget compares. Blumer also added that giving the community an in-depth look at the class sizes in different schools could help people better understand the budget.

Some residents commented on the toll the budget could take on tax payers. Robert Vulls of District 4 told the committee the budget was too high. "We have to figure out how to control this spending," he said, "We can't afford it- I can't afford it."

The School Committee will vote on the FY20 budget at the April 3 meeting.

View the full proposed FY20 Budget.

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