Schools Budget $2.8 million Below Level Services
The School Committee says performance is in jeopardy if they fail to provide the services students need.
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Shrewsbury Public School leaders say they are financially behind where they should be to provide students with the education opportunities they need to succeed.
According to a report on the Worcester Telegram and Gazette website, the school department's initial budget was $4.4 million above their current request and that their current request is nearly $3 million behind level services.
The Telegram reports that the initial budget request sought to restore 21 teaching positions that had been cut and reduce class size, but that number has been reduced.
"The district needs a budget increase of $2.8 million to maintain current school programs and class sizes. [Sawyer] noted the lower amount does not represent a change in the current request and said the School Committee is meeting next week to revise its budget," the Telegram reports.
The current budget request is at $50.22 million. The three boards will continue to review the fiscal climate in the town and are expected to meet again in April.
SameOld
3:13 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
For years members of SRT have been telling the school committee that giving out COLA and step raises, which combined total more than 5 % is most cases, was not sustainable. That is part of the problem.
Weining Wang
8:33 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
The real problem is our low tax and nothing else.
That said, I fully support to put 2 1/2 override on 2014 ballot. It is the right time.
BobS
10:11 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
I've said this before, If you truely believe that more money will solve this problem then step up and write out a check to the town. One of the reasons I live in Shrewsbury is the lower tax rate. Shrewsbury does a great job providing the service for the money we pay in taxes.
Weining Wang
12:59 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Not just that, we will have every Shrewsbury tax payer to pay its fair share, including you and me.
Ron king
5:16 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Fair share....yes I get garbage pick-up, and hopefully know if I ever need a Cop or Fire truck. I hope they show.
Do the math, only a bit above 1/4 of homeowners in town have kids in school.
Sorry, it will not pass, and please be ready for a real town feud, not only from the Old Farts of SRT,. but the regular Joe 6 packs and empty nesters. Who actually vote.
Steve Whiz
4:32 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Enough already. I am not going to do with less so teachers can get raises of 5% to 8% and more. There is nothing fair about that.
Also stop the baloney coming out of the School Dept. Half of the "21 teaching positions" are for admistrators.