Newton Schools Adjust Student Services, Special Ed to Close Budget Gap

As the schools in Newton face cuts in arts, foreign language, libraries and regular classroom staff, it appears the special education program was not able to escape some reductions tied to a $4.4 million budget gap.

At their second special budget meeting of the week, the School Committee last night focused on reductions to special education teachers and aides. The special education salaries and benefits—according to the superintendent’s proposed budget—make up just over 24 percent of the district’s costs.

The elementary level will look to save more than $278,000 by cutting the full time equivalent—or amount of workers proportionate to amount the school employs—of five special education aid staff, two behavior therapists and two interns. Instead, Newton’s elementary schools will continue its integration of co-taught classrooms, which the committee found to be successful at

The co-taught classroom style of teaching integrates students of all levels in the same classroom. However, the class will require two teachers and one intern who specialize in special education. In total, this model will use 8.5 special education teachers, nine special education interns, a net savings of more than $334,000 compared to services without co-taught classrooms.

“Co-taught classrooms is a collaborative style of teaching. It is being grasped by all elementary school teachers,” said Newton Public Schools Co-Director of Elementary Student Services Robin Fabiano. “We are seeing special education teachers delivering great lessons. They are sharing each others expertise. It has been very successful for us. It is a very high quality professional development.”

Members of the committee feared that co-taught may be difficult to sustain, however Fabiano felt the long term goals is within reach.

“We feel it is sustainable,” she said. “Some students will need more than co-op teaching. But it is a great option for a lot of kids.”

Newton is trying to fill a budget increase of $8.8 million in fiscal 2012, one that is aided with a $4.4 million allocation from the city. Nevertheless, the district needs to find ways to free up the additional $4.4 million needed.

Aside from special education, the committee has already discussed cuts to regular programming in Superintendent David Fleishman’s proposed budget. The reductions include Newton’s elementary schools' fourth grade chorus, third grade recorder class, current level of art time, current level of library coverage and staff coverage for meetings, professional development, and lunch.

Middle School Special Ed Cuts

At the middle school level, the superintendent’s proposed budget is looking to cut the full time equivalent of 1.5 special education teachers, 3.3 special education aid staff as well as 0.6 specialist in behavior therapy—a savings of more than $263,000.

Despite the cuts, though, the School Committee felt they did a good job preserving a program that meets a wide range of students needs.

“Across the board it was a very small reduction in aids,” said Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Judy Levin-Charns. “This provides quality service for a large number of students. We believe in the initiative we are proposing. This is a great thing for kids.”

As discussed Wednesday night, other programs facing cuts at the middle schools include Latin, seventh and eighth grade drama as well as some office support.

High School Reductions

Also facing cuts are the full time equivalent of 4.2 special education teachers and 3.8 special education aids across both and , savings of more than $420,000.

“Cuts will be a challenge,” said Newton South High School Principal Joel Stembridge. “Will it compromise services? We hope to try to prevent that.”

The committee felt there was no reason the high schools should take in outside students with disabilities and feels it is entirely possible to limit the amount of students they send to other schools.

“We need to be smart and strategic about moving students,” said superintendent Fleishman. “We need to be careful of the chemistry of the students. We need a rock solid admissions approach and a delicate balance.”

The school committee was able to preserve Central High School, despite the fact that it has used up its federal stimulus funding. According to the budget proposal, the Central High School has reduced the amount of out-of-district placements for the department.

Other Areas on the Chopping Block

Additional cuts in effect for the entire district include the current intern program as well as speech and language therapy services at the middle and high schools.

Cutting the intern program, which currently uses four interns, will save the district $52,500, according to the proposed budget. Reducing staff in the speech and language therapy will save a little over $42,000.

The Curriculum and Instruction program will loose the equivalent of half their secretary staff. Despite spending less money on the program, the committee addressed that they have not affected the quality of the program. Rather, they are now spending money on the program more efficiently and wisely.

Areas of praise were given out to the Curriculum Professional Development Program, which allows kids to play games and activities, before and after school, with the objective of teaching them how to “stay safe, but stay in the game.”

No budget cuts will be made to technical education at this time.

The School Committee will meet again on Monday at 7 p.m. in the to discuss non-instructional areas to the budget, including operations, food services, central administration staff, fees and more. The committee is expected to take a final vote on the budget in early April. 

Correction: Robin Fabiano is Co-Director of Elementary Student Services in Newton.