Confronting Fear in a Season of Hope

As Jewish families in our community mark the end of Hanukkah and Christians begin preparations for Christmas, I am reminded that this is a special and sacred time of year for so many of Needham’s children.

Sadly, this season has been marred by violence in Paris and San Bernadino and this, in turn, has stoked expressions of fear and outrage against Muslims.  We know that the cowardly and cruel acts of a few should never define the faith and aspirations of the many.  Unfortunately, this weekend the FBI is investigating a firebombing at a California mosque, and here in Massachusetts I have learned that a neighbor and colleague at a private Muslim elementary school is quite anxious about the safety and security of her students and staff.  As an educator I worry that increasing rhetoric and misplaced fear will fuel even more misunderstanding, distrust, hatred, or violence against Muslims. 

Yet I remain hopeful because I believe education is the answer required to assist children to develop the skills, knowledge, mindset, imagination, and courage to tackle enormous dilemmas and problems, especially those related to prejudice, bigotry, and intolerance.

In the Needham Schools I am immensely proud we work hard to ensure that all students, families, and staff are respected and supported regardless of their race, socioeconomic background, nationality, or religious affiliation.  Indeed, we discover, learn about, and celebrate the diversity of our students’ ethnicities, languages, traditions, and cultures through the use of literature and art, classroom discussions, service learning, and community meetings.  We are unafraid to hold discussions, for example, around race or sexual orientation believing that a conversation can begin to build understanding, tolerance, and acceptance.  Of course, we do this work imperfectly and strive to remember and respect the alternative and contrary point of view. 

During the holidays—and every day—let’s remember to support those among us who look, speak, or pray differently than we do.  Let’s support our Muslim colleagues and families during a time of uncertainty and wariness.  Let’s use our classrooms, dining rooms, and houses of worship to assist young people to learn about others, especially as we prepare them for a world hungry for their energy, resilience, creativity, and leadership.

I hope you and your family enjoy a safe and joyful season of peace.

FY17 Budget Proposal: The Cost of Maintaining an Excellent Education for All Students

The FY17 (School Year 2016-17) budget proposal I submitted to the Needham School Committee outlines the minimum resources the schools need to support the educational program for our students, one that is consistent with the District’s core values of Scholarship, Citizenship, Community, and Personal Growth.  You may view my presentation here:  FY17 Proposed Budget Presentation to the School Committee Essentially, this budget proposal is a “maintenance” plan that addresses core services without requesting any significant dollars for new programs. 

The proposed budget requests an additional 5.6% funding increase over the current fiscal year, although most of this increase is to provide for a similar level of service as we have in classrooms and schools this year. In fact, about 99% of the total $3.4 million requested proposes level service for 2016-17.  Given that the Town will have limited new revenue and escalating costs (e.g., employee health insurance) I will recommend only a small increase, under $44,000, for program development even though school leaders sought over $700,000 in enhancements and improvements.  

Several key budget “drivers” are impacting the proposed FY17 budget plan.  Among them:

•  Contractual Salary Increases  Contractual obligations for all existing employees account for $1.4 million, or about half of the total requested increase.  In order to recruit, support, and retain a talented faculty and staff, we must provide reasonable yet competitive salaries for our staff, teachers, and school leaders.

•  Enrollment and Class Size  While overall enrollment is projected to increase only slightly next year, there remains a need to ensure class sizes stay within acceptable School Committee policy guidelines.  I will propose 11.73 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) classroom teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels to keep class sizes steady and make up for the loss of grant funds. Hillside, for example, will require 1.5 FTE new classroom teachers just to keep up with growing enrollment there.  New high school teachers are proposed to make up for the loss of grant funding.  Additionally, nursing (high school) and guidance support (elementary) is proposed to increase to ensure an appropriate amount of service is maintained.

•  Increased Special Education Costs  Increases in the number of special education students being served, special education tuition, transportation for special education students, and other mandated costs total approximately $1.1 million of the new funds requested.

•  Other Level Services  Small increases in funding are proposed to ensure continued K-12 curriculum leadership and programs ($56,814), upgraded technology supplies and services ($72,550), and literacy, math, art, science materials and resources ($60,905) are provided.  If funded, these requests will maintain the same level of service next year to students and staff as the current school year.

Where possible, we have reallocated existing resources to meet new challenges, including a growing list of state and federal mandates.  Unfortunately, many important and worthwhile proposals suggested by school leaders—all designed to enhance and strengthen student learning—have been deferred to the future.

While the budget proposal is sensible and carefully considered, it will be a challenge to secure all the resources required to maintain existing programs, especially as the Schools and Town evaluate a variety of important educational and municipal needs. 

I am mindful that the Town Manager, School Committee, Finance Committee, or Town Meeting may have different priorities, so this plan remains a work in progress throughout the winter and early spring.  In other words, based on available resources and in close collaboration with Town boards, various line items in the proposal may be changed, increased, or deferred for another time.

The School Committee welcomes input and suggestions about the budget plan and encourages parents and community members to email them with comments at schoolcommittee@needham.k12.ma.us and attend or tune in to upcoming meetings.  The School Committee will study and discuss the budget proposal throughout December and January, and they will hold a formal public hearing on the budget at Broadmeadow on Tuesday, January 19th at 7:00 p.m.  Please also refer to the District’s website for additional information about the budget proposal:  FY17 Budget Documents