Norton School Committee
Town of Norton, Massachusetts
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Norton School Committee
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2008-2009 School Budget presentation (April 7,2008)
2007-2008 School Budget The requested FY08 budget was rejected through the loss of the override vote. The failure of the override will further affect the school system in many areas. We have a great challenge ahead of us. Please be generous with your support of the Norton schools, both with your time and donations, as we need it now more than ever. The school committee met over the summer to prioritize spending of the additional funds created through the increased user fees and to discuss the budget planning in general for FY09. The cuts for this coming year were described in the town meeting handout.
We have the potential to enjoy a great
school system in future years provided we have adequate funding. The school
system will continue to provide the best possible education for the student's of
Norton that the budget will allow. All efforts and resources are directed
toward improving student achievement and providing a positive and rewarding
educational environment. Despite the failure of the override, we will continue
to strive toward educational excellence in Norton. And lastly, please take the
time to thank the dedicated and talented teaching and support staff in each of
our schools.
April 28, 2007 “There’s Life Behind the Numbers” The uncertainties surrounding the state’s fiscal condition has wrecked havoc on the budget process. We are caught between the state mandate of providing a quality education to every child in our jurisdiction, and finding those resources to support that mandate. It has been a daunting task and a real challenge to craft a budget under diminished state and town resources. All budget line items have come under scrutiny in every way possible over the last six months by the School Department and the School Committee. Unfunded mandates make the process of providing quality education a nightmare. Federal law states “no child is to be left behind.” This is difficult to do without the proper resources to do it. In this proposed $23,934,233 budget (5.4% increase), we have attempted to maintain our core academic programs and basic extra-curricular offerings, re-open all libraries, and eliminate user fees. Last year our budget request was cut from $24,951,563 to $22,718,500 resulting in dramatic personnel reductions and program cutbacks. There were losses in supplies and professional development, talented/gifted programming, computer hardware, achievement testing, maintenance of buildings and grounds, and in personnel; 16 positions in total. In addition, all libraries with the exception of the high school were closed. User fees for athletics, parking, and transportation were also instituted. This year’s school budget increase was slightly less than one-half percent. Next year’s increase as outlined by the Town Manager and Finance Committee would be slightly less than one percent. Some fixed costs have risen by as much as nine percent. This discrepancy makes it difficult to operate effectively. Additional reductions this year will have an immediate impact in our programs for children and services to these children. The FY’08 proposed budget provides the following: elimination of all user fees, and reopening of all libraries. The budget by no means reinstates all the positions lost in FY’07, but it does provide some funding for professional development, which by the way is a necessity, as teacher expertise is the main contributing factor to student success. Also funded are computer hardware, maintenance of equipment and grounds, and the reinstatement of seven teachers, five at the Norton High School, one at the L. G. Nourse School, and one at Norton Middle School, all to address large class sizes. Proposed reductions in custodial maintenance, paraprofessional, and clerical positions will not occur. The proposed budget does provide funding for previously negotiated contractual obligations. There’s no waste. The budget has been trimmed and trimmed again. The proposed budget is not a wish list of items, but rather items that are sorely needed. Over the years, programs have suffered, services have suffered. The impact of these budget cuts will be measured in more than dollars and cents. Children suffer every time programs and services are cut. One must be aware that state funding for education, known as Chapter 70 funds, for FY’08 will provide nearly fifty percent of the School Department’s budget. Of the proposed $23,934,233, $12,560,940 of that will come from state funds. The town’s share will be $12,175,056. Consecutive years of approximate level funding, with little or no increases, have a serious impact on the quality of education for Norton students. In the long run, the cumulative effect on staff and students may be more costly in terms of programs and services than is now apparent. Can we in the Town of Norton afford to cut back on education? We have standards to meet, accountability to uphold, and assessments to pass. We cannot lower our standards because of inadequate funding. It is not fair to the children, they are our top priority. Families have a right to know that each child receives a quality education, every year, regardless of economic downturns. Families have great expectations for the schools that their children and grandchildren attend. They expect schools to work for all children, that is, quick learners, artistically talented, slow learners, or the disabled. Schools must meet every child’s needs. These familial expectations for high-achieving schools are appropriate. To be “Good” is not good enough. To help Norton’s children be competitive with those in other communities, we need to continue to strive for excellence. What type of school system are you willing to pay for? The town must have the will to pull together to protect the interests of children by supporting this budget request. I am proud to be able to say that the Norton Public School System has accomplished much in recent years. It is headed in the right direction. We can point to many achievements in our commitment to meet each child’s educational needs. It is unfortunate that these budget reductions come at a very inopportune time when families, now more that ever, look to the schools to provide an environment in which their children can realize their full potential. It is my duty as Superintendent to advocate for a quality educational system and speak on behalf of the children in our schools, as that represents our community’s future and as such, their needs are a community’s first and greatest responsibility.
Patricia H. Ansay, Ed. D.
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