3 Things From School Committee

 If you missed the School Committee meeting on Wednesday night, here are some of the highlights:

1. Shrewsbury High School Principal Brian Reagan gave an update on the impact of School Choice at Shrewsbury High. There has been "no significant impact,” said Reagan, regarding class size, with no additional resources or teaching resources required by the addition of the 20 non-resident students in the freshman class. Reagan said the high school’s culture and climate has not been negatively impacted by the addition of the school choice students. On the contrary, eight of the 20 students made the honor or high honor roll last semester, said Reagan, and most are involved in activities and clubs, with no significant disciplinary actions so far this year.

Examining projected enrollment numbers at the high school, Reagan said adding additional students this coming year would have “more of a significant impact than it did last year” on class sizes. Superintendent of Schools Joseph Sawyer said he is not recommending opening any school choice seats for the 2011-2012 school year.

Sawyer said the district stands to receive about $95,000 from the state for educating the school choice students. Seventeen school choice students started in the beginning of the school year and three enrolled later in the school year.

One community member, John Lukach, commented during the public hearing portion of the meeting regarding school choice. “I continue to have questions about the fact that the addition of those students does not consume resources,” said Lukach, who “applauded” the school administrators who recommend not continuing the program next year.

The School Committee is expected to vote on whether to offer school choice spaces for the coming academic year on April 6, Sawyer said.

2. State Sen. Michael Moore gave a brief report about Gov. Deval Patrick’s proposed budget for FY 2012. Moore said that since 2009, local aid has been spared substantial cuts. However, this year, without federal funding, such as through the education jobs funds and federal stimulus monies, “we are looking at trying to close a budget gap for fiscal year 2012 of approximately $1.5 to 2 billion dollars.” The governor’s budget has allocated $3.9 billion dollars for Chapter 70 funding. Moore said there are some early indications that the House’s budget for local aid might be less than the governor’s budget.

3. Sawyer reviewed the budget recommendation for FY 2012. 

As previously reported, the school department is recommending a budget of $48,545,211 for FY 2012, a 2.98 percent increase over the FY 2011 budget.

Three community members commented about the school budget recommendations.

Lukach referred to a document he said he sent to members of the School Committee, Finance Committee, the Board of Selectmen and the town manager.

“Shrewsbury also needs to take the lead in teacher salary increases,” said Lukach, “We can’t afford it anymore…those types of increases are not sustainable.”

School Committee members Sandra Fryc and Mark Murray, Human Resources Director Thomas Kennedy, Sawyer and Lukach discussed the steps and cost of living increases that are part of the current teacher contracts.

Community member Johanna Musselman thanked the School Committee members for “staying the course, keeping the schools strong and helping give these kids the best opportunities they can have. These people [teachers and administrators] go above and beyond.”

Community member Beth Casavant spoke, saying she was “troubled” when she hears comments that the schools spend too much or are fiscally irresponsible.

“Where is the tipping point and how close are we to reaching it?” said Casavant. “As with any investment, if you ignore it for too long you start to lose your return and fixing it becomes overwhelming. I would like to see that situation avoided.”

The FY 2012 budget recommendation report is available on the school district homepage.