More Teachers Needed for Increase in High Needs Students

NEEDHAM, MA — Out of budget spending could be needed to accommodate some students with significant needs, Superintendent Daniel Gutekanst said.

At a recent school committee meeting, Gutekanst told the committee that the school district had 5,607 students at the start of the school year, just above their projection of 5,593.

“Even though our enrollment is basically steady, we’ve had some swings with students who have moved into the district with significant needs,” Gutekanst said.

Due to the new students, Gutekanst said that the schools will need up to four teacher assistant positions that were not in the budget.

As far as trends, kindergarten enrollment is up, but the high school student population is down.

More information is expected in October, when the school district releases their official enrollment figures.