Weymouth Parents Demand Bigger School Budget

Parents are telling the Weymouth School Committee that they are tired of having to fight every year for a well funded school budget, with many commenting that the proposed $67.3 million school budget for fiscal year 2016 does not meet the need of local students.

The budget was revealed by Superintendent Kenneth Salim during Thursday night’s meeting and represents an increase from last year’s $61.3 million budget.

The extra funding will cover increases in expenses including a needs list consisting of about $3.3 million in positions and expenses that the school district urgently needs according to Salim.

Despite the increase and enough funding to meet minimum spending requirements set by the states, parents say the town should do more to exceed the bare minimum.

Resident Gustavo Perez told the school committee that state school districts on average spend 20 percent past the minimum. According to Perez, while other school districts have increased in spending since the recession, Weymouth has not returned to pre-recession levels of investment in public education.

“As much as we would like to say it is a cause for celebration, the spending gap between Weymouth compared to the rest of the state has actually gotten bigger,” Perez said.

Perez said there is a $13.6 million gap between Weymouth and the state average.

Per pupil, Weymouth is $1,563 below the state average.

Most speakers chose to use the improv slogan of “it’s not ok” when discussing the budget and desire to see a dramatic increase. Parent Elizabeth Foster Nolan said she was tired of seeing the town promote the minimum for the schools.

“I’m frustrated with the fact that the school always comes last; the schools are always pushed back. I’m not saying push back public safety but we need to address the needs of the schools,” she said.

Some residents commented that the lack of school spending could lead to a decrease in property values and make the town less desirable for new families.

The school committee will vote on a budget to send to Mayor Susan Kay on March 23. After the vote, the school budget will be submitted to the town council in April as part of the town budget.