Windsor Locks School Superintendent Presents Proposed Budget In Public Forum

People packed the Windsor Locks High School library Wednesday night to hear about the proposed 2012-2013 school budget.

About 100 people attended the public informational meeting, which included a presentation on the proposed budget outlining a 5.25 percent increase. The budget does not eliminate any positions, but does include a new extended day program where nine teachers would work with small groups of students to improve achievement.

Superintendent of Schools Wayne C. Sweeney said after an initial budget proposal with an increase of 8.38 percent, he reworked the budget bringing it down to 4.67 percent with no new initiatives. With long-range plan and school improvement plan initiatives, the new budget proposal is a 5.25 percent increase. This includes the proposed program to offer extended hours for students who need help and new programs for juniors and seniors to earn college credits.

The total proposed budget would be $28,797,435, which is an increase of $1,511,856 over the current spending plan.

Most of the discussion centered on the extended day and summer program that Sweeney proposes. It includes switching nine teaching positions to specialists who would come in later in the day and work after school with certain students.

Sweeney said he expects about 150 students at a time would be involved, but the students involved could switch monthly or quarterly as achievement is assessed. The teachers would also be involved in a summer program for students.

Three teachers from each school, North Street, South Elementary and Windsor Locks Middle schools, would be involved in the proposed extended program. This would lead to increased class sizes, but Sweeney explained in some grades this would mean an increase of one or two students per class, and others up to four students per class.

Sweeney said the teachers also would be involved in implementing the new curriculum next year.

He outlined the changes in each grade with the current numbers, showing how class sizes could increase from an average of 17 to 18 students per class to 20-21 or 22-24 depending on the incoming kindergarten class, or from 16 to 17 students in fourth grade to 22 to 23 students per class. He said class sizes would stay below 25 students.

“I am not a proponent of increased class sizes, but this is a plan we think will accommodate everyone’s needs,” he said.

About 100 people attended the meeting, Sweeney estimated about one-third of those were teachers and administrators. He said he was thrilled with the turnout.

“Any time we can get moms and dads and staff together to talk about what is best for all kids is a positive,” he said. “We got some great questions and comments.”

Some parents in the audience supported the idea of an afterschool program to target students who need more time to learn skills.

“I would have given anything to have a program like this for my son,” said parent Karen Rhodes. She said her son has to work three times as hard as other students to maintain his grades and learn new skills.  Her son is now a senior in Windsor Locks.

Other parents weren’t as sure about the proposed program. “Having more kids in the classroom could affect everyone,” parent Liz Carey said. “I’m not sure how this would affect kids overall.”

Others also questioned whether student teachers or interns could cover the afterschool program, but Sweeney said they could not work alone, and he would want experienced teachers working with students who need further instruction.

“It is going to be messy, it won’t be perfect out of the gate, but we need to do something because our kids deserve better,” Sweeney said. He said he would need the support of parents to help make it work.

“This is not a punishment, it is an extra opportunity for kids to learn,” Sweeney said. He said public schools in Boston have had success with similar programs.

Parent Paul Fortier said the foundation of a community is its school system.

“Nobody has the guts to say our kids need better and that costs money,” he said. “It is easy for us to pick it apart, but much of the budget is mandated costs.”

He said his daughter is a senior, but he plans to keep supporting the school system, and he said if increases are needed he will support them.

The board of education will have a workshop Thursday night to discuss the budget further. The budget will be presented before the board of finance in March.