New School Budget Calls for 6.6 Percent Hike

MANSFIELD, MA - New positions and the elimination of kindergarten tuition are two of the reasons for a 6.6 percent increase in the proposed Mansfield Public Schools fiscal year 2017 budget.

Tuesday, the school committee presented a $48.6 million budget, up about $3 million from this year’s budget, according to a presentation from the committee.

The budget includes $785,000 to fund eight additional positions, including five to support the new High School schedule. Additionally, the appropriation request for level services is up 4.9 percent.

Salary and wages are set to go up $1.2 million, or 3.3 percent.

At the high school, the new positions that are considered essential include a Spanish teacher, part-time business teacher, part-time music teacher, a full-time teacher, and two physical education teachers. According to Mansfield Schools Business Manager Ed Vozzella, the additions are needed for the new high school schedule and to become in compliance with a state law that requires physical education for all grades.

The other new positions include a math intervention teacher at the Robinson School, dean of students at the High School, and a district-wide tech integration specialist.

The special education budget is up 23.5 percent, with the increase coming from tuition and out of district transportation costs.

With the school district eliminating tuition for kindergarten, the budget now includes $376,000 for the full-day program. The half-day program will be eliminated, as is the cost to run the mid-day bus.

Residents will vote on the budget at the Annual Town Meeting this spring.