The fact that winter has finally taken a hold of the environment with a vengeance cannot be lost on anyone. Given the spate of storms recently, and the number of snow days we’ve already missed, I’m sure many people can’t wait for spring to come and are hoping we don’t reach the point where April vacation will have to be shortened to make up days. While some states and schools are looking at how they can ‘attend’ school during snow days, this becomes much more difficult in our area due to the lack of internet access, something I’m hoping that Wired West will resolve in the near future. Some states also allow schools to lengthen their school days to make up days lost to weather, unfortunately Massachusetts is not one of those states. I’m not sure why we’re so against this as we all know that days tacked to the end of the ‘normal’ school year are not nearly as educationally productive as a slightly lengthened set of days prior to the end of the year.
The snow and bitter cold are also reminiscent of the bleak situation we find ourselves in terms of next year’s budget. As reported to the school committee on February 11, we are estimating that we have a potential loss of revenue of approximately $1.5 million. This is due to many factors and not just the Worthington withdrawal issue. Even with a revised ‘six-town’ budget that reduces the current operating budget by over $400,000 we are still facing a significant challenge to curb the increase in town assessments for the next fiscal year. There have been a number of possibilities floated that could save some significant dollars with changes to the district. Some of these are feasible, some are not, but I’m sure that as we progress through the next few weeks we’ll find a solution that works, although it most likely won’t be the perfect solution for either the towns or the district. (I think that’s called meeting in the middle, something our Senators and Representatives in D.C. should practice a little more often). As indicated in earlier columns, we will not have to have multi-aged classes in elementary schools, will not have to lose our seven period day and the opportunities that has presented to our high school students, and will maintain appropriate athletic and extra-curricular activities.
For those interested, the official ‘budget hearing’ will be held on March 4 in the Performing Arts Center on the main campus beginning at 7 p.m. This meeting is open to all and is a great way to find out about the budget as well as offering input.
I’m hopeful that all of our students will have a wonderful February break and there should be plenty of snow for those who like to ski, snowmobile, sled, snowshoe or partake in other winter activities requiring snow. And for those who prefer indoor activities, I’m sure parents will be glad that the break is only a week long; hopefully not long enough for ‘cabin fever’ to set in.
