Budget Cuts Means No Spanish Classes For Some Norwood HS Students

NORWOOD, MA — One of the consequences of the new budget for the Norwood schools has appeared in the high school's foreign language department.

Norwood High School Principal Jonathan Bourn and foreign language Cindy Derrane recently told the school committee that due to the current staffing levels, about 20 students were denied requests to enroll in Spanish classes. Derrane cited the recent cuts at the high school from past years as part of the reason why they are unable to accommodate all the students.

"I think the reduction in Spanish in 2013-14, if that position was there, I don't think we would be turning anyone away," Derrane said.

While foreign language is not a graduation requirement, most colleges and universities have that as part of their requirement for entry. State schools calls for two consecutive years of the same language.

"Our enrollment hasn't changed, what has shifted are the kids who are staying in it. Our classes are more popular than they use to be," Derrane said.

Committee member Maura Smith said the situation made her "steaming mad."

"I don't want our students to be a victim of a budget. What I'm getting at is there are going to be students who will not be given opportunities because of our budget and they may not get into a college because of that situation," Smith said.

When asked if they could include foreign languages in the graduation requirements, Derrane said they could not with the current staffing levels. She said they would need at least one more teacher with some sort of certification swing.

"If you're going to make it a requirement, you're going to need more options," Derrane said.

Superintendent David Thomson noted that the situation was one example of the budget cuts made by the committee during the latest budget season.

"You're down to cutting organs and limbs and this is an example. Because of a fantastic program and kids that are putting themselves out there, we now have needs and requests and we should be honoring," Thomson said.

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