Proposed School Budget Means Larger Classes, Program Cuts

READING, MA - Superintendent John F. Doherty’s proposed a school budget $150,000 higher than the $40,697,667 recommended by the finance committee, but even with the added funding Reading schools will still see significant budget cut impacts.

The extra $150,000 proposed by the superintendent would fund the first year of a three-year implementation of a new Kindergarten through 12th grade science curriculum.

The new budget is an increase of 3.25 percent from the current fiscal year. An increase of 4.89 percent would be required to keep the school functioning as it is, Doherty said in a statement. This is the third consecutive year that the level service budget had to be reduced.

“In the FY16 budget (current year), $825,000 was reduced from the level service budget, resulting in a small number of personnel reductions and several non-personnel reductions. Unfortunately, the FY17 recommended budget will result in further personnel reductions,” Doherty wrote in the statement, published on the Reading Public School blog.

These personnel changes will lead to larger class sizes as well as the elimination of certain programs and services. The elimination of two elementary school teachers will result in class sizes of up to 25 students for grades three through five.

Two high school teachers will be eliminated under the new budget along with the Freshman Advisory Program; cuts in the Latin program are also expected.

This spring, the the Superintendent of Schools held a series of community and school interactive forums to identify other needs which are not included in this budget.

In order to achieve all of the identified goals the budget would need to be increased $2.64 million. This sum does not include the need for a full day kindergarten for all students which would have an annual cost of approximately $1,000,000.

While these goals will not be able to be addressed under the 2017 budget, officials are hoping to accomplish the community’s goals in future years.

“Although the data and the forums show we have a lot to be proud of in our schools, the information gathered also shows that there are areas we need to address so that we can maintain the level of excellence that we have taken pride in over the last several years. Addressing these areas will be critical to the long term success of our school district,” Doherty wrote.

Here is a schedule of upcoming school budget events:

Reading School Committee Budget Meetings (All Meetings Begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Reading Public Schools Administration Offices)

· Monday, January 11th-Overview of FY17 Budget, Administration and Regular Day Cost Centers

· Thursday, January 14th-Special Education, District Wide Services

· Thursday, January 21st-Public Hearing, Town and School Facilities

· Monday, January 25-Final School Committee Vote

In addition to the meetings above, the Superintendent of Schools will be holding two budget presentations for parents on Tuesday, January 12th (6:30 p.m., Coolidge) and Wednesday, January 13th (6:30 p.m., Parker). Both presentations will be the same. Child care will be provided.

There will also be a Financial Forum of the School Committee, Board of Selectmen, and Finance Committee on Wednesday, January 20th at 7:30 p.m. at the Reading Senior Center. The topic will be the FY17 budget and future budget discussions. This is a public meeting and all are encouraged to attend.

To see the full budget click HERE.