Meeting Monson’s Mission

1. Meeting Monson’s Mission FY10 Budget Proposal

2. Our Commitment The Monson Public Schools are committed to our mission, beliefs and goals as stated in the District’s Strategic Plan and the newly revised School Improvement Plans. Ideally, our budget proposal would reflect that resolve.

3. Original FY10 Budget Proposal: • Our original request was for $767,576 above Net School Spending. • It would have restored some key instructional programs and personnel cut in recent years. • It also addressed some NEASC and AYP concerns.

4. The Town’s Minimum Financial Obligation: • Net School Spending is the minimum requirement for local support of the public schools. • The estimated NSS for FY10 is $336,409 LESS than required to maintain our current level of services.

5. Monson per pupil spending

6. Per Pupil Spending “Like District” Comparisons

7. School Committee Recommended Budget -A Fiscal Compromise: • Given the current economic conditions, the School Committee recommended a budget for FY10 that is $404,000 above NSS. • This amount represents $336,409 needed to maintain our current level of services plus $67,591 for critically needed textbooks: a literacy series at QHCS and science and history textbooks at GVMS and MHS.

8. Budget proposal summaries:

9. How does the Town maintain current services and purchase new textbooks? • These basic services will require a Town override of $404,000. • Monson voters will make this decision at the election on April 6, 2009.

10. Why do we need to maintain current services? • Maintaining current level services prevents backwards sliding of student achievement. • Maintaining current level services prevents further decline in student enrollment, which translates into lost revenue under Chapter 70.

11. Impact of AYP status • School Improvement Year 1 • Granite Valley ELA • School Improvement Year 2 • Quarry Hill Math • Corrective Action • Granite Valley Math • Restructuring • Underperforming School

12. Impact of enrollment decline

13. Stimulus funding doesn’t negate the need for the override! • Stimulus funds can’t cover all that the override does, but will allow additional spending for instructional and special education services. However… • Stimulus funds are not coming all at once, and will apply to a two-year period, then end • Final stimulus funds are still dependent on a vote on the final state budget • Stimulus funds will have restrictions on what they can be used for (50% invested strategically)

14. What Compromise Budget does NOT address at MHS: • Restoration of English/SS teacher • Restoration of Tech Ed teacher to full-time • Restoration of office secretarial position • Restoration of part-time building aide • Additional AP class in English Literature

15. Monson High SchoolStaff Positions 2002 – 2009Staff Positions Lost: 6.95

16. Positions lost at MHS • Family & Consumer Science Teacher (.7) • Community Resource Officer • Technology Education (.5) • Building Aides (2) • English/Social Studies Teacher • Secretary • Library Secretary (.5) • Career Facilitator (.25)

17. What Compromise Budget does NOT address at GVMS: • Restoration of grade six teacher (re: class size) • Restoration of grade seven/eight teacher (math) • Restoration of library assistant (part-time) • Restoration of guidance secretary (part-time) • Need for after-school tutorial opportunities in response to MCAS/AYP findings

18. Granite Valley Middle SchoolStaff Positions 2002 – 2009 Staff Positions Lost: 15.8

19. Positions lost at GVMS Guidance (.5) Grade 5 Tchr Grade 6 Tchr Grade 7 Tchr Grade 8 Tchr Library Sec Guidance Sec (.5) Inst Aides (2) Fam & Con Sci (.3) World Lan Tchr Guidance (.5) Librarian Tech Ed Tchr Grade 6 Tchr Inst Aides (2) Science Tchr

20. What compromise budget does NOT address at QHCS: • Need for a school counselor at the elementary level • Need for additional resources to address AYP issues in math and ELA.

21. Quarry Hill Community SchoolStaff Positions 2004 – 2009 Positions Lost: 8.5

22. Positions lost from QHCS • Guidance Counselor • Librarian • Music Teacher • Literacy Teacher • Kindergarten Teacher • Classroom Teachers (2) • Title I Teacher • Title I Teacher (.5)

23. What Compromise Budget does NOT address in the district: • Recommendations of NEASC with regard to MHS accreditation. • Ongoing issues regarding maintenance of facilities, technology, and professional development. • Current AYP Status and the need to increase MCAS performance at GVMS and QHCS.

24. Central Office / Maintenance Positions 2006 – 2009 Positions Lost: 6.5 • Technology Director • Computer / Technology Technician • Parent Coordinator (.5) • Maintenance Second Shift (.5) • Custodian Second Shift (2) • Copy Center Aide • HR / Finance (.5)

25. Monson School SystemSchool Staff Positions Eliminated 2003 – 2009General Education Staff – 31.25 Positions (shown)Central Office / Maintenance – 6.5 Positions LostTotal Positions Lost – 37.75

26. Potential impact of a NO vote on the school override question: • Reduction of $336,409 required from FY09 operational budget. • A maximum of $82,000 would come from maintenance, facilities, supplies, and materials. • The remaining $254,409 will translate into some losses of current personnel and programs. • Losses will be mitigated somewhat by receipt of the stimulus funds; details are still not available.

27. Override Summary • A “Yes” vote on the override question preserves current programs and personnel and adds textbooks. • A “No” vote on the override question decreases the current budget by $336,409 resulting in cuts to programs and personnel.

28. Approximate cost of education override

29. Therefore, the School Committee recommends the Compromise Budget and support of the override question to maintain level services that will help prepare our students for their future, not our past, and for success as defined by Education Reform at state and national levels through No Child Left Behind, AYP status, and MCAS.

30. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of the FY10 budget proposal and support of our local schools!