Posted Mar 26, 2011 @ 06:19 PM
Holbrook —
Holbrook school officials may have to cut 30 staff positions due to a $2.1 million hike in mandated costs as well as to cover the loss of federal grant monies.
During a March 23 public hearing on the proposed 2011-2012 school budget, Superintendent Joseph Baeta said specific cuts would be determined in the coming weeks and that the loss of personnel would drive up class sizes.
“Of the 30 positions we are cutting, there would be 24 teaching positions cut and impact class sizes to 32-plus at the elementary level and 35-plus at the secondary level,” Baeta said.
Baeta said 14.7 positions that have been funded by the waning federal grants are to be eliminated.
“There will be no saving positions in August as we have done in the past because all federal assistance is being cut,” he said. “This is because of the impact of losses of federal grants which this community relies on.”
The superintendent said the district could “live with a $1.2 million (increase) and have limited issues.”
He explained that the majority of the increase is for resources and staffing needs.
Included in the school department’s proposed $13,350,889 spending plan for next year are $175,000 in total salary increases along with hikes in mandated special education costs and student transportation. The district must also cover $13,000 in Medicaid bills.
Other increases in the budget include $12,700 for administration and paraprofessional cost of living salaries, $30,000 for special education materials, $50,000 in various line items for professional development, a 2 percent hike in regular education transportation, and a request for a part-time maintenance worker.
Baeta has previously explained that the district must address an audit report by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that listed a number of issues.
Compounding the budget crisis this year is the loss of federal monies.
The district is losing $527,000 in federal grants that paid for a number of teaching and paraprofessional positions.
This year there is a request of $100,000 to purchase new textbooks and classroom supplies and materials.
Baeta has said the district is in dire need of new textbooks and that many date back to the 1980s and 1990s. He added that the school system has been putting off putting off purchasing new ones.
The superintendent has also noted that there is an increase in the number of English Language Learners in the district and that a fulltime teacher and a part-time teacher have been requested to address that as required by state law.
Administration salary increases range from 0 to $33,000. He has previously explained that for the first time administrators’ pay is based on merit.
The superintendent noted that some administration positions are shared.
For instance, Baeta oversees facilities and he and the business manager share grant writing duties. He said a proposal is being floated to share administrative duties with other districts to save money.
The proposed budget will go before the May 3 Town Meeting.
Read more: Holbrook schools may cut 30 positions - Holbrook, MA - Holbrook Sun http://www.wickedlocal.com/holbrook/archive/x1608497677/Holbrook-schools-may-cut-30-positions#ixzz1HoRj6jUY
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