SUPERINTENDENT STEFAN CZAPOROWSKI
WESTFIELD – The Westfield School Committee voted 6-1 to send a fiscal year 2021 budget of $62,044,820 to the city, one that is approximately $2 million less than the initial proposal of $64,394,824 presented on April 6.
Largely due to the influx of $1.5 million in Free Cash voted by the City Council on June 4, the June 10 budget restored 19.5 positions from the June 1 budget proposal that cut 33 positions and resulted in 150 letters from parents, teachers and students.
Being restored are a career center paraprofessional and graphic arts and carpentry shop assistants at Westfield Technical Academy, a physical education teacher at Westfield HIgh School, six kindergarten paraprofessionals, the elementary school band program (1.5 positions) and a music teacher at Westfield Intermediate School, an educational team leader, and the 7/8 team comprised of seven positions at Westfield Middle School.
Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said that some positions are still being reduced, including two in the central office, an elementary and grade 5-8 assistant principal, social studies supervisor, English language arts and math coaches, and the HVAC/plumber position.
Czaporowski said reductions from the first round budget on April 6, which eliminated 14 positions, some due to attrition or not yet filled, plus the 13 still being cut from the June 10 budget, total 27.5 positions.
“With the restorations that we have approved, there are no reductions to special education or to arts and music. If the City Council were to reduce our number, those positions would be on the table,” Czaporowski said.
School Committee member Cindy Sullivan was the only no vote on the budget, which she said was based on principle. “I know what’s going to happen in September with some of these kids. I know our teachers are working hard, and in September they will be working harder. I think the City Council would help us if they could. It’s more of a global thing, education has to be a priority. I can’t do it this year. I just can’t support the 27 positions being cut,” Sullivan said.
Chief Financial Officer Ronald R. Rix said the bottom line of the budget has actually increased due to offsets. “Our operating budget has increased, our ask to the city is less,” Rix said, adding that with the increased offsets and the CARES act funding, the operating budget is $ 63,191,205 which is $ 26,663 higher than FY20.
Part of the reason for the increased offsets is the decision by the school department to use $1.4 million in CARES Act funding, which was intended to cover two years, solely in the fiscal year 2021 budget.
Ramon Diaz, Jr. expressed concern about what the impact of using the offsets this year will be on the following year’s (fiscal year 2022) budget.
“These offsets are not going to be there next year. Make sure you’re very clear that we won’t have the offsets next year. We’re using offsets to cover the deficit (this) year. Next year, the city’s portion will go up. The budget is being covered in a different manner (this) year, and we’re taking next year’s CARES Act to do that. I worry about the message that this number, which is lower, will send,” Diaz said.
School Committee Vice Chair Tim O’Connor said he appreciated the discussion. “As vice chair, I have been talking with the superintendent on a daily basis. We’ve got to build a sustainable budget. I know there are some personnel positions that aren’t going to be available this year. We do have to trust the City Council. They have been supporting the School Department for the last five years without any reductions in the school budget. This has got to be a team effort this year more than any other year,” he said.
O’Connor said he did want to ask the superintendent about technology, not only about equipment, because of the possibility of a hybrid model for the return to school in the fall.
Czaporowski said he also wanted to talk about technology. “As part of our technology plan, we typically want to allocate $250,000 a year towards that. We’re down to $100,000 in this budget. We already purchased 664 chromebooks, and are expecting an additional 55. WithTitle I funding, we will be able to purchase more technology. The total we’re purchasing is 1100 new chromebooks, and we need about 2,000,” he said.
Czaporowski said other added technology costs will include Zoom, which will no longer be free. The district also has 40 to 50 students without internet access, which it is looking to resolve. Also important will be new safety features on the chromebooks being used in the home, he said.
“I would encourage and ask principles throughout the entire district to watch what you’re seeing. You will have kids coming in that have had no schooling, or perhaps no structure since March. I think we are in for some trouble. If we had kids marginalized before… I’m going to ask the superintendent to ask everybody to keep as much data (as they can). The school will be holding the bag on this. Make sure you report everything, because it’s going to be very important,” commented Heather Sullivan.
“Right now, we don’t have any idea what September will look like. The superintendent is already ordering PPE but it’s going to change in two months’ time. Springfield just came up with theirs, alternating days. We have no idea what it’s going to look like,” said Bo Sullivan, adding, “We need to pass a reasonable budget. I do put my faith in the City Council. I would like to stress what Ray said before, all those parents, teachers, and grandparents (that wrote in), make sure those councilors have that, too.”
