WESTFORD — Amid several projected budget shortfalls within the town, students and parents spoke out to save several programs that could see reductions next school year.
During a Jan. 2 public hearing, several students and residents spoke out in opposition to proposed cuts to Westford Public Schools in the FY25 budget.
Reductions to performing arts
Programs, like performing arts, could see significant reductions while programs like Mandarin could be eliminated altogether for the district’s budget to remain within Proposition 2 ½ constraints.
Westford Academy student Jeffrey LaFlamme spoke on behalf of his peers in Westford Academy’s Theater Arts program that opposed the proposed cuts.
He questioned why the curriculum coordinators were “prioritized” and why some departments were “handled differently” in the cuts.
“I am not in any way trying to lessen the responsibilities and importance of our program coordinators, but as a student I know the impact that a teacher can have,” Jeffrey LaFlamme said. “Why [are] we prioritizing these positions that do not have a direct impact on students?”
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher Chew responded, “I wouldn’t necessarily say we are prioritizing one over the other because there are significant reductions [that must be made] in order to retain the Proposition 2 ½ constraints.”
Areas for reduction are chosen by evaluating student enrollment within classes, according to Chew.
“When [the School Committee] looked at it across all the departments, at all of the class sizes and enrollments existing right now, the department that has the lowest class sizes are the Visual Performing Arts,” Chew said.
However, Chew acknowledged that he understands the student perspective.
“From the student perspective I agree that absolutely, the people you interact with most are the teachers and they are the ones that have the greatest impact on your learning. There is no doubt about that,” he said.
Impact of the Mandarin program
WA alumni Kiersten O’Connell says the Mandarin program was “impactful” to her high school experience.
“It was such a great community there. Even though the class size may have been small … the fact that most of us stuck through the program despite all of its changes shows how passionate we were about the language,” she said.
Like Visual Performing Arts, Mandarin also has a low enrollment rate. O’Connell expressed concerns on how the removal of the program could reflect on Westford.
“Students don’t get the encouragement or experience to take it in high school.” O’Connell said.
“If we get rid of that, how does that reflect on us? That we are not showing up for the [large] Asian population here in Westford,” she said
WPS parents, community chime in
Resident Tom LaFlamme also spoke in support of the performing arts department.
LaFlamme say his wife, who assists with the musical program at Abbot Elementary School, recently met a student in Market Basket who was “excited to get back to rehearsals.”
“That is the key in attendance, all of the extracurriculars involved in the district,” he said. “I would caution against making decisions now that may have an impact on the continued upward trend.”
Megan Eckroth, fourth grade teacher at Norman E. Day Elementary School is concerned of the effects interventionist cuts would have on general education teachers.
“Should [those responsibilities] fall on teachers … it would be devastating and frankly is completely unrealistic,” she said.
Eckroth also believes that “It’s extremely concerning that the outlets that keep our students at WA mentally well are the things on the chopping block.”
Committee member Chris Sanders acknowledged attendees’ concerns, but reminded residents that they must “be mindful of a timeline which we are stuck with.”
“Budgets [do] get amended, at the end of the year we have things that look different,” he said. “We’re trying to hit a target, March 23, and we have to make decisions now. [But] that doesn’t mean in six months it won’t be different,” he said.
Tackling the budget
In the time before Westford’s Town Meeting on March 23, residents must decide whether or not to vote for an $8 million override on FY25.
Some, like Eckroth, support an override.
“The reality is the money just isn’t there. However we craft this budget there is simply not enough,” Eckroth said. “An override must be passed to preserve the identity of Westford Academy and our schools.”
Others, like Heidi Sporel, were concerned that families may not be able to afford an additional tax increase if an override is supported.
“If you are not a parent you are only looking at your tax bill … I know a lot of people were talking about that, saying they can’t afford it. How are they going to stay in town?“ she said.
She concluded with, “show not just what you’re looking at today in this budget, but how the changes you may be implementing are going to affect [WPS in the] next year, two years, three years.”
Next steps
The School Committee is scheduled to vote on its FY25 budget during its Jan. 16 meeting.
The Finance Committee, School Committee and Select Board are scheduled to discuss the FY25 budget on Jan. 18 and Feb. 1. The time of the meeting, agenda, and meeting location have not been announced at the time of reporting.
