It's Official, Middle School Foreign Language Part of Override

When the Board of Selectmen voted last week to put a $4.15 million override question before voters, it was fairly certain the focal point of the potential cuts, the middle school foreign language program, would be restored. Monday night, and back at the Schettini Library at RMHS, it became official as the School Committee voted 6-0 in support of Superintendent John Doherty's plan on where to spend the school's $2,137,000 portion of the override.

If you're keeping track at home, the Superintendent's Recommended Budget (bad) was followed by the Reconstruction Plan and Override Budget (great), which was followed by Monday's presentation of the Reconstruction/Override Budget Priority Plan (pretty darn good). The last one is the only one that matters now and will be part of an override vote on April 3. If approved by voters, Reading schools will be able to retain and/or restore:

• 16 teachers including seven at the Middle School, five at the high school, three in the elementary schools, and one elementary school tutor.

• The Middle School model and schedule, including Grade 6 ELA, and grade 7 and 8 foreign language.

• One full-time computer technician.

• For athletics, two non-league games.

• For the town's five elementary schools, the Elementary Chorus.

The Priority Plan would also add two fulltime Curriculum Coordinator's for grades K-6 with one focused on math/science and one on English, language, arts/social studies. It would include curriculum updates and renewals, ongoing training for teachers and other staff across all levels, increased technology support, and improved support to the town's special education programs and teachers.

In short, it's a budget that all supported, including School Committee member Nick Boivin who had been the lone vote against the override budget last month.

"I think this strikes the right balance of asking our tax payers for their hard earned money and the needs of our school children," said Boivin. "I support this. This is a good path forward for Reading."

In crafting the Priority Plan, $299,000 in spending from the original override budget had to be cut. Those items that were not funded included the restoring of an additional high school teacher ($70,000), restructuring the elementary assistant principals and special education team ($165,750), adding one clerical support staffer ($45,000), and restoring the two vacation cleanings at RHMS ($18,000).

With schools done, the process rolls on with the Finance Committee meeting Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the budgets followed next week by the Board of Selectmen meeting to decide what will get funded in the town's portion of the override total of $1,495,031. All told, if it passes, the override would add $519 to the average Reading homeowner's tax bill.

Photo by Bob Holmes