Committee to try again, cuts $1.2 million
Thirty-two teachers, staff cut across the district while user fees discussed
By Caitlyn Kelleher

A standing room only crowd filled Overlook Middle School during the recent meeting of the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District. The teachers, parents and other community members wanted to know the results of the cuts after the failed override vote.

School Committee members voted to certify a lower budget number and try for a second and lower override on Wednesday night as school administrators eliminated 32 positions from the school district Friday.

The cuts are spread through all four schools and the central office.

"To the extent possible, we try to absorb as many of the reductions through an attrition process," said Superintendent Michael Zapantis, in an interview after the meeting.

For example, one of the cuts at Overlook Middle School is the technology program, including the course taught to each student in the school because the teacher was scheduled to retire at the end of this year.

Overlook Principal Brenda Houle said eliminating the technology course will increase the class sizes in the six remaining enrichment course - such as art, physical education and music - to as many as 36 students. One of the PE teachers will also be cut.

"It affects the way the teachers can mange their classes," she said.

Zapantis laid out a series of reductions totaling $1.2 million in two scenarios for School Committee members to consider as a reduced override request is considered.

Under both scenarios, the district would cut all the materials and professional development costs associated with the curriculum renewal cycle, as well as the stipends for the curriculum coordinators and the teaching positions that filled in for the coordinators for a savings of $375,746.

The district will also eliminate all professional development costs for a total savings of $56,700. The district will also eliminate the first year of a computer lease to save $22,500.

Zapantis then proposed two alternatives in regards to athletic and co-curricular fees. The first is a 100 percent pay-to-participate program, saving the district $456,525. The second is a 50- 50 split between fees and the district's operating budget.

If the second attempt at additional funding fails, Zapantis proposed two different sets of personnel cuts but notification was given to all teachers depending on the committee's decision on co-curricular fees.

If the committee decides to make the fees a 50-50 proposition, then the budget would require the elimination of 10 fulltime teachers, four part-time teachers, 10 full- and part-time paraprofessionals, four custodial positions, three part- and full-time secretaries, and a part-time guidance counselor.

If the committee decides participants need to fund the co-curricular activities and sports. Then the budget cuts will be six full-time teachers, two part-time teachers, two part-time teachers, five part- and full-time paraprofessionals, a secretary and two custodians.

Each of the elementary schools will lose a grade level teacher at John R. Briggs it will be first grade teacher and in Westminster it will be a third grade teacher.

"We're going to completely eliminate our health program and the technology," said Westminster Elementary School Principal David Marble.

The elimination of the health teacher's position will also eliminate the program at Briggs because the teacher worked part time in each building.

At the high school there will be the elimination of the early childhood education program, a business department teacher, a Spanish teacher, as well as a math and English teacher.

Assistant Principal David Uminski said this will eliminate the studio media and journalism courses, as well as require

"(Closing the buildings)

is 180 degrees away from what an elementary school

is supposed to be."

- DAVID MARBLE, WESTMINSTER ELEMENTARY

PRINCIPAL some of the small upper level course not to be offered because the teacher have to be used in other areas.

Uminski said classes like law and diplomacy and organic chemistry may not be offered.

The administrators are trying to complete the schedules 150 students. He said some classes like Spanish courses are filled beyond capacity at the moment.

He said completed schedules will not be available for students until the first day of classes. But that the staff is using registration forms the students completed during the school year to determine classes.

"The more education you get the more options you have," Uminski said.

There are also staffing cuts in the Special Education Department.

"It's going to put a lot of pressure on those special education teachers," Uminski said.

The elimination of the custodial positions raise the issues of weather or not the buildings can continue to remain open in the evenings.

"We're going to have to limit the used of the buildings," Marble said.

The school hosts town meetings, Relay for Life events and youth sports games. Marble said he wants the school to be the "centerpiece of the community."

"(Closing the buildings) is 180 degrees away from what an elementary school is supposed to be," he said.

Similar discussions are being held about Briggs and Oakmont Regional High schools.