October is a time for planning in the Wellesley Public Schools. The outlook for next year starts taking shape and budget development begins. To date the WPS Administration has been working on the following for Fiscal Year 09 (which runs July 1, 2008 - July 1, 2009):
w FY09 Capital Budget
w FY09 Operating Budget
w Enrollment Report
Additionally,
there is an important Article coming before Special Town Meeting
regarding the acquisition of three residential properties on Seaver
Street adjacent to the High School property. Details of these
important items are provided below.
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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Proposed FY09 Capital Budget
The WPS Administration presented the proposed FY09 Capital Budget on Tuesday, a total budget of $1.3 million. The
capital budget includes the expenditures for maintenance, technology
and infrastructure necessary to sustain the schools capital assets. A
major step toward sustaining the schools was taken last spring with the
voter approval of the debt exclusion, funding many capital projects
over three years.
Included
in the proposed FY09 Capital Budget is the funding required to
reconfigure spaces in the High School for the four additional
classrooms required to accommodate increased enrollment. The conversion
of a portion of the library, a science lab and a portion of the auto
body shop into classroom space will cost a total of $236,000. This
is significantly lower than the $3.5 million for modular
classrooms which was outlined for this year in the Five Year Capital
Plan. Additionally, this plan provides the lowest cost short-term
solution while keeping future options open, both internal conversions
and modular classrooms.
The
decision to convert these spaces into the needed classrooms provides a
short-term solution to the growing capacity problem at the High School. This is only the first step. The
WPS Administration will next be tasked with developing a six-year plan
to bridge the period of high enrollment while the High School Building
Project moves forward, including the installation of up to 11 modular
classrooms. The challenge in planning is the extensive two-year lead time to fund, permit and install modular classrooms.
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Operating Budget Development
The WPS Administration has initiated work on the FY09 Operating Budget. At this point in the process, it is imperative that the Administration provide, at a minimum, level-services budget.
A level-service
budget outlines the funding needed to provide the same level of
services, including programming and class sizes, and extracurricular
activities at the same participation levels as is currently provided. Additionally,
there are multiple areas which have been routinely under-funded in past
years, such as administrative staff and technology support, which need
to be funded this year.
The WPS will be presenting the FY09 Operating Budget to School Committee on December 11th. There will be an opportunity for public input at the Public Hearing on January 2nd. The School Committee will be voting on the budget shortly thereafter. School
Committee will then review the budget details with the Advisory
Committee prior to seeking approval at the Annual Town Meeting in
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Enrollment Continues to Increase
The WPS Administration presented the latest Enrollment Report to the School Committee last Tuesday night. The Enrollment Report includes five- and ten-year enrollment projections for the nine K - 12 Wellesley Public Schools. Taken
into account are the birthrate in Wellesley and the progression rate
(the proportion of students who progress within the system, as opposed
to moving out or attending a non-WPS school).
Key points:
- Enrollment in the WPS has been steadily increasing since 1990, when total enrollment was 2,871. The latest report projects that we are reaching the peak: Enrollment is projected to peak in 2011 with a total of 4,801 students system-wide. This constitutes a 67% increase in students in just over 20 years.
- In-migration
continues to increase with a net +181 students moving into the system
last year (who were not on the current census). This is a trend
which has been difficult to forecast and calls for close attention.
- The
new residential units at Hastings Village and the Toll Brothers
development have added a total of 30 students to the system. The
enrollment projections include an increase for developments at the
Grossman's and the Wellesley Inn sites.
The
Enrollment Report is used in multiple planning efforts, including the
generation of the annual operating budget and the long-term management
of classroom capacity.
Particular attention has been paid to enrollment at the High School, as the peak moves through the system: The
Enrollment Report projects that the High School will continue to grow,
reaching 1,596 students in FY18 (the furthest out the projections go). Currently, the High School is designed to accommodate 1,100 students. The capacity needs generated by this great enrollment surge are critical to manage now, in the HS building design and during construction phase of the project.
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| HS Project: Seaver Street Acquisitions
The Board of Selectmen has negotiated the purchase of
three properties on Seaver Street in an effort to help mitigate the
site constraints on the High School property. The purchase price of $3.6 million requires approval at the Special Town Meeting scheduled to start November 6.
The
acquisition of the properties offers the town a unique opportunity to
reduce the project costs and to provide space for optimal design. The 1.5 additional acres increases the usable land area by 17%. For
both of the two high school design options currently under
consideration, this provides a significant improvement for 1) project
timing and phasing; 2) building design and orientation; and 3)
construction process flow. Of these, the timing is most critical: Every month the project is extended, the cost increases by a significant amount.
The Board of Selectmen will be presenting detailed information on this acquisition opportunity at the Special Town Meeting. For further information, please see the discussion of Article 13 in the Advisory Committee Report to Town Meeting.
We are unanimously in support of the acquisition of this property and urge your support as well. Contact your Town Meeting Members and ask for their support of Article 13 (see link to the right to determine your precinct). | |
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Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday, Oct 30, 7:30pm
School Committee
High School Library
On the agenda: Voting the FY09 Capital Budget
Tuesday, Nov 6, 7:30pm
Special Town Meeting
Middle School Auditorium
Tuesday, Dec 11, 7:30pm
School Committee
High School Library
On the agenda:
Presentation of the FY09 Operating Budget
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High School Project
PROJECT UPDATE:
For a summary of the High School Building Project to date, please see the
SBC Report which is included in the Advisory Committee Report to Special Town Meeting.
SBC NEWSLETTER:
Subscribe now to the SBC newsletter.
Enter your email address and check the box, "School Building Committee
Updates." This is the best way to stay informed about this
critical town project. | |
Committee for Education in the 21st
Century
