Editor’s note Dec. 19 11:54 p.m.: The number of full-time equivalent reductions was incorrectly reported by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher Chew during a Dec. 4 meeting. This piece has been updated to include updated figures on net reductions during a Dec. 18 presentation.
WESTFORD — Amid a projected town-wide budget shortfall of $7 to $10 million in FY25 and beyond, a number of staffing cuts are expected throughout Westford Public Schools next year.
During a Dec. 4 School Committee meeting, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher Chew outlined two budget scenarios — one with a Proposition 2 1/2 override and one without. A decision on whether to endorse either budget has not been made.
The FY24 budget for the district is approximately $66 million, an increase of approximately $2.5 million from FY23.
A report from the Budget Task Force estimated that Westford Public Schools would need an additional $5.38 million to continue offering similar service levels in FY25 — just above an 8% increase.
Chew’s FY25 needs-based budget would see a 7% increase from FY24 — a total of approximately $70.5 million. This needs-based budget assumes a Proposition 2 1/2 override is supported by voters.
Scenario 1: Proposition 2 1/2 override is supported
A Proposition 2 1/2 override, which would need to garner support at both the March 23 Annual Town Meeting and the May 7 ballot, allows the town to raise the property tax levy above its 2.5% cap.
In the first budget scenario, assuming a Proposition 2 1/2 override is supported, could see an initial reduction of 27.2 full-time equivalent positions in the district. Full-time equivalent positions are measured as $66,897 per position.
These cuts would include two FTE positions at Stony Brook Middle School, four FTE positions between Robinson, Crisafulli, Abbot and Miller elementary schools, the administrative data specialist position and would outsource all special education transportation.
Additionally, this budget would include cuts to 2.2 FTE positions at Westford Academy, by reducing payroll among multiple departments.
Additionally, several offsets would be used to support salaries and stipends, which account for approximately 80% of the district’s budget.
Despite these cuts, 4.4 new FTE positions would be added in this scenario, including one ESL teacher and 3.4 FTE positions to support special education.
Net reductions under this scenario would be 22.8 FTE positions.
Scenario 2: Proposition 2 1/2 override is not supported
The district will need to make additional cuts to remain within the 2.5% levy if an override is not supported.
In this scenario, the needs-based budget would be cut by an additional $3.3 million, with the total FY25 budget at $67.2 million.
This scenario would triple the number of staffing cuts within the district, including:
- Three FTE literary specialist positions for kindergarten through second grade.
- Director of Equity, Curriculum and Instruction position.
- Restructure the kindergarten through 5th grade curriculum coordinators for STEM and humanities, resulting in three FTE positions cut.
- All reading interventionist and math interventionist positions, which recently had their contract approved through June 25, 2025 after over a year of negotiations.
- Two FTE positions at both middle schools, removing the General Education reading elective.
- 11.4 FTE positions at Westford Academy in several departments, which could impact class sizes and elective offerings.
- Three FTE positions at Abbot Elementary School and one FTE position at Day Elementary School.
This scenario would cut an additional 53.4 FTE positions on top of the initial district-wide cuts proposed in the needs-based budget.
However, six additional FTE positions would be added, including replacing all interventionist positions with an academic coach at each elementary school.
Net reductions in this scenario would be 70.2 FTE positions.
Additional challenges
WestfordCAT previously reported that several challenges are poised to impact the district due to staffing reductions and budgetary constraints, including:
- Increased class sizes and reduced class offerings district-wide due to staffing cuts.
- Reduced extracurricular opportunities for students.
- Increased caseloads for Special Education and School Counseling services.
- Reduced custodial staffing.
- Reduced late bus transportation.
- Reduced access to software programs for students.
Additional revenue and efficiencies
The task force explored additional revenue opportunities for district schools, including raising athletic and bus fees. However, the task force opted not to recommend raising either fee for students.
The task force also noted that both the town and district could combine a number of departments for additional cost savings. Currently, the town and the district operate their procurement, human resources and maintenance separately.
Budget discussions are slated to continue at the committee’s next meeting on Dec. 18. A town-wide budget will be presented to the Select Board during a Dec. 12 meeting at 7 p.m. in the Millennium School.
