We have received official notification from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that Commissioner Chester has decided that Worthington has met the department’s requirements to withdraw from the Gateway District as of July 1, 2015. While we do not know what the results of the lawsuit filed by Ruth Kennedy will be, the school committee voted on January 14th to develop a six-town budget for consideration this spring.
As we move forward with next year’s budget, I hope that everyone follows the process closely so you’ll be informed: not only about what will be voted on during annual town meetings but more importantly, can see that the educational opportunities for our students will not be significantly different than at the present time. I’ve heard some folks assuming a loss of programming in the district once Worthington leaves but our intent is to keep, and potentially expand, student learning in Gateway schools. Gateway’s budget for FY’16 will reflect maintaining advanced placement courses, continuing to add additional courses in the high school (given our expanded, seven-period day), maintaining single grade classrooms at the elementary level, and maintaining two elementary schools. We also anticipate that, with some changes made possible by the Worthington withdrawal, the overall budget for the district will shrink—although town assessments will most likely increase due to the loss of revenue. As always, much will depend on state aid to education (Chapter 70) and the amount of regional transportation reimbursement that the district receives in the state’s fiscal year 2016 budget. The state budget process will prove informative, in terms of the support that Governor Baker provides for public education and regional school districts specifically.
During their January 14th meeting, the school committee also voted to approve a memorandum of agreement with the teachers’ union which helps to close the funding gap caused by the 9C reduction of $241,000 in regional transportation reimbursement. This agreement allowed the district to withdraw the layoff notices for 7 teachers. This one-day furlough for teachers, in conjunction with other reductions (not replacing para-professional positions vacated mid-year, secretary and central office schedule reductions, eliminating para-professional development, and administrative givebacks of up to 7 days each) are some important steps in addressing this revenue shortfall. The MOU can be found on the district’s website and the superintendent’s blog and provides several options based upon Governor Baker’s future actions. For example, if the 9C cuts in transportation funding are rescinded before March 9th, then the teachers will work on March 9th and we’ll continue with parent/teacher conferences on that day. If not, then teachers will take March 9th as a furlough day and parent/teacher conferences will be cancelled for this spring. If the cuts are rescinded between March 9th and June 30th, then teachers will be paid for their furlough day. If the cuts are not rescinded for FY’15, then teachers will be given an additional personal day to be used during the 2015-2016 school year. We will certainly keep parents informed regarding the 9C impacts on parent/teacher conferences as we progress through the next several weeks.
