Initial
review
of the
town-wide
operating
budget
indicates
a
shortfall
of $6.4
million.
All Town
Departments
will be
reviewing
budgets
in an
effort
to
reduce
costs.
In this
effort,
School
Committee
will be
considering
significant
reductions
to the
approved
budget.
Decisions
will
be
made
in
the
next
few
weeks
which
significantly
impact
the
WPS.
Your
input
is
important
in
this
process.
The
Town
process
for
budget
development
involves
negotiation
between
and
among
Town
Boards
and
includes
consideration
of
public
opinion.
Public
input
and
response
is
integral
to
the
process.
Therefore,
it
is
critical
to
stay
informed
and
participate,
starting
this
week.
See
below
for
recent
developments
and
next
steps.
Thank you for
your continued
interest in the
issues which
affect the
Wellesley Public
Schools. For
further
information on
Committee for
Education in the
21st
Century
(Committee 21),
please go to our
website.
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Real
Cuts,
Real Debate,
This Week
The
discussions
underway
are
extremely
difficult.
Reductions
made in
the
coming
weeks
are made
in
advance
of Town
Meeting
and
therefore
in
advance
of any
override
vote.
These
are real
cuts,
affecting
students
and
staff
today,
and into
the
future.
These
real
cuts
must be
balanced
with the
reality
of
financial
constraints
and
expectations
of voter
support.
It is
important
to
review
proposed
budgets
with an
understanding
of the
impact
on
funding.
An
override will
be
necessary
to fund
the
operating
budget
proposed
even
with
substantial
cuts.
While we
are
opposed
to
reductions
to the
educational
program,
we are
realistic
in the
need to
reduce
the
budget
to
ensure
the
preservation
of the
system
as a
whole.
An
important
part of
the
budget
process
is to
gauge
support
both
within
the
school
system
and
town-wide.
Therefore
IT IS
CRITICAL
that you
participate
and
voice
your
opinions
NOW.
The first
opportunity is
on Wednesday,
January 30, at
7:00pm at the
Advisory
Committee Public
Hearing. We
encourage you to
attend and
articulate your
support for:
·
a budget funded
in part by an
override
·
the current WPS
program,
including the
strong
curriculum and
class sizes at
current levels
·
leaving the
decision of
major program
or staffing reductions
to the voters
The WPS has a
vibrant,
effective
educational
program which
has been built
over decades.
The Town has
consistently
demonstrated
support for the
educational
program in both
the budget
process and in
support of
override ballot
questions.
This
tradition only
continues with
your active
support. |
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What
does this mean
for the WPS?
School Committee
has approved a
budget of $55
million to fund
the current
program for the
projected
enrollment, an
increase of
10.9% over last
year. The
primary drivers
of the increase
are costs
associated with
mandated special
education, an
increasing
number of
students
enrolled and
teacher salary
increases.
While this
increase is
startling in its
magnitude,
detailed
analysis
confirms it is
justified. Any
significant
reduction in
expenses must
come from
reduction in the
overall
educational
program.
Over the next
weeks, School
Committee will
be reviewing
potential cuts
to the WPS
budget of up to
$1.4 million.
These will
include a
proposal to
eliminate the
items listed on
the "sustaining"
portion of the
approved budget,
plus additional
items.
School
Committee
will meet
with other
Town Boards
to review
priorities
and
potential
reductions.
After
further
discussion
and review
with
Advisory
Committee,
School
Committee
will
finalize the
budget,
likely
re-voting to
approve a
reduced
budget.
Anything cut
at this
stage will
not re-enter
the 2009
budget no
matter what
the outcome
of an
override
vote.
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Revenue vs.
Expenses
The budget
review
focuses
primarily on
ways to
reduce
expenses.
However, the
other side
of the
equation is
the
revenues.
While the
WPS is
not considered
a source of
revenue for
the town, it
is important
to assess
the
opportunity
when and
where
possible and
appropriate.
There are
already
multiple WPS
programs and
services
which
include
offsetting revenues, including bus
transportation,
athletic
fees, and
parking
fees.
Additionally,
PTOs and the
Wellesley
Education
Foundation
provide
significant
revenue for
enrichment
programs,
library
books,
professional
development,
technology and
much more.
A critical
review of
outside
funding opportunities,
including
increased
private
funding and
fees, makes
sense before
we consider
eliminating
or reducing
programs.
We encourage
a focused
and diligent
effort to
explore and
identify
these
opportunities.
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The Last Word
Similar
to each
of the
last
seven
years,
the
reductions
under
review
are
incremental
and pose
modest
declines
in the
delivery
of the
educational
program.
The term
"death
by a
1000
cuts"
is used
often to
describe
the last
seven
years,
and this
year is
no
different.
Some
reductions
may seem
minor.
But
taken in
total
over the
years,
they add
up to a
significant
decline.
The
WPS
program
today
is
significantly
diminished
when
compared
to
the
program
seven
years
ago.
While
past
reductions
in
actual
program
have
been
deliberate
and
mindful
of
townwide
budget
considerations, they
must
be
considered
in
the
evaluation
of
the
current
budget.
As
priorities
across
town
are
evaluated,
it
is
important
that
we
make
specific,
deliberate
and
educated
decisions.
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Important Dates
Tuesday, Jan 29
7:30
pm, School
Committee
Meeting
On the agenda: WPS Operating Budget proposed reductions.
Wednesday, Jan 30
7:00 pm, Town
Hall
Advisory
Committee
PUBLIC
HEARING
on the
Warrant
to
Annual
Town
Meeting,
including
the WPS
operating
budget.
Tuesday, Feb 5
7:30 pm, School Committee Meeting
On the agenda: WPS Operating Budget proposed reductions.
Tuesday, Mar 4
Monday,
Mar
31
7:30
pm, WMS auditorium
Annual Town Meeting starts
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Committee for Education in the 21st
Century
