Editor’s note: Full-time equivalent positions are measured at a cost of $66,897 per 1.0 FTE. A 1.0 FTE reduction does not necessarily represent one person’s role but could represent slight reductions in multiple roles.
Update Jan. 8: Information regarding the initially proposed reductions has been added for better context and accessibility.
WESTFORD — Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher Chew outlined additional details on budget reductions Westford Public Schools could face to remain within Proposition 2 ½ override constraints.
Overview of initially proposed reductions
On Dec. 19, WestfordCAT reported that the FY25 needs-based budget would increase by 7% over FY24, costing $70.5 million. A Proposition 2 1/2 override asks voters to support $8 million in additional tax revenue to continue WPS’s current services and staffing. This number could change as discussions continue.
If the override is supported, Westford Academy could see 2.2 full-time equivalent positions cut according to projected enrollment. This includes:
- Three sections of English Language Arts.
- One section of History and Social Studies.
- Four sections of World Languages.
- Three sections of Visual and Performing Arts.
Under the Initial FY25 Adjustments, the loss of staff could also reduce or cut several co-curricular activities and electives. Westford Academy could see,
- Less math and computer science electives, including AP offerings
- Reduction of science electives including, Forensics, Marine Biology, Environmental Biology, and Robotics/Engineering
- Eliminating all English electives, including Film and Literature, Journalism, and Creative Writing.
- Reductions in Spanish, Latin, Mandarin or complete elimination of the Mandarin program, and elimination of upper-level honors/CP classes in World Language
- Visual and Performing Arts reductions across the Department, including reductions in Ensembles and the elimination of Photography and Ceramics
- Limiting the enrollment/sections of AP/Honors in the Social Studies Department, including AP US, AP Euro., AP Psych, Honors Psych, Honors Economics, Honors Gov., and Honors Westford History
Without an override, all schools will face additional reductions across sections and could see increased class sizes.
Voters must decide to vote on a Proposition 2 1/2 override both at the March 23 Annual Town Meeting and the May 7 ballot.
Additional reductions outlined
With a balanced budget under Proposition 2 ½ constraints, the district could see additional cuts in administrative academic intervention roles, including cuts to:
- The Director of Equity, Curriculum & Instruction.
- 2.0 full-time equivalent Curriculum Coordinators in the elementary schools.
- 2.0 FTE reading teacher positions in area middle schools.
- 26 Interventionists at the elementary level, including 11 reading interventionists and 15 math interventionists.
Responsibilities for the Director of Equity, Curriculum and Instruction would be divided amongst the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent with building-based Administration supporting “instructional leadership initiatives at each level [of schooling],” according to a Jan. 2 presentation.
Additionally, administration would eliminate 2.0 FTE Curriculum Coordinator positions at the elementary level. Westford’s six elementary schools would be supported by just one STEM Coordinator and one Humanities Coordinator, which could lead to a reduction in instructional coaching.
Middle School students currently enrolled in Reading would be moved to a World Language course, despite no prior language experience. This change could increase class sizes at both Stony Brook and Blanchard middle schools.
Interventionist structure could change
In-class support that interventionists provide could also be eliminated. Students receiving intervention may be placed in an academic coaching class, which could reduce individualized academic support.
Interventionist responsibilities at the elementary level would fall to general education teachers of the students.
“[An academic coach] would be able to provide some of these supports, not necessarily the same model that exists at the middle schools. The coach would be able to provide interventions, but would not be able to support as many students at a time,” Chew told the committee.
A new Academic Coach position may be created within each elementary school to “relieve the burden of providing intervention” but may not be able to support as many learners as an Interventionist position.
Jennifer Cataldo, the Curriculum Coordinator for STEM for third, fourth and fifth-grade students, said that the Math Interventionist program is a “super successful model to get kids up to grade level.”
She added, “without interventionists, that’s kids who are struggling in math that are not getting those supports … If you change that to one coach instead of three interventionists, that’s one person now.”
Additionally, parents of Kindergarten students could see a reduction or elimination of intervention support for their students.
Literary specialists and transition program
K-2 Literacy Specialist positions could also be reduced within the district, resulting in increased group sizes from one to three students to three to five students.
Students in need of additional support will still receive services from their general education teacher.
Administration also plans to develop a new transition program for 18 to 22-year-old students attending alternative day programs, with the addition of one special education teacher and two career coaches.
The School Committee is scheduled to vote on its FY25 budget on Jan. 16. Comments can be sent to school-committee@westfordma.gov.
