Proposed Norwood HS Budget Shows Cuts To Athletics, Arts, Activities

NORWOOD, MA — No one wants to do it, but there are some extreme suggestions being made for the Norwood High School budget.

During last week's Norwood schools budget hearing that featured teachers and administrators objecting to cuts, high school Principal Jonathan Bourn announced the most drastic cuts, proposing to cut activities and athletics and drastically cutting arts.

“There isn’t an ounce of sound logic to justify any of my recommendations but nevertheless I’m in charge of the task to guide you to the least damaging option,” Bourn said.

“You proposed to eliminate athletics and eliminate activities and a good portion of the arts. How is that standing behind our core values?” Committee member Lisa Igoe asked.

“It’s not. It basically puts me in a position of pure subsistence to meet the minimum requirements of what we’re tasked to do,” Bourn replied. “It goes down to what to we have to offer to get kids to pass MCAS to meet state requirements and graduate”

This year, committee members are finding themselves in a position to make cuts across the district, including the prospect of losing an assistant principal position at the middle school and the assistant superintendent.

Committee member Michele Eysie Mullen questioned why Bourn would present something he doesn’t believe in.

“It’s the impossible nature of the situation. I really can’t stand by with any knowledge and say it makes sense," he said “I don’t want to lose the athletic program but I don’t want to have to make cuts in the academic program. I don’t deflect the importance of the arts, athletics, or activities, but I had to make a difficult decision. Do I also want class size in the 40s? Do I want kids dropping out because they didn’t get the help they needed?"

Students in attendance called on the committee to not approve any cuts to arts, athletics, or activities. Norwood High School student Erin Sullivan said drama and soccer make her who she is. Carolyn Ferris, another high school student, said she would have no idea what she would do without band.

“I love those things so much and without them, I have no idea what I would be doing. I would probably be sitting at home all day and that’s not what I want to do. Without these things I probably wouldn’t have 90 percent of the friends I have,” Ferris said.

No decisions were made, but the committee made it clear that they do not want to make the cuts.

“We do hear you and we hear that pain. None of us like what we have to do. We’ve had some good suggestions about what might be needed now it’s up to you,” James Gormley said.

The budget will go in front of Finance Committee in late April before being voted on at the Annual Town Meeting.

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