TONIGHT AT 7 PM IN THE MARK'S MEADOW AUDITORIUM THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE WILL BE LOOKING AT THE BUDGETS TO DATE.
WE SENT A NOTICE HOME IN BACKPACKS YESTERDAY WITH ALL THE DETAILS. IF YOU DID NOT SEE THE NOTICE THE DETAILS OF WHAT IS BEING DISCUSS ARE HERE AND HERE.
WE RECOMMEND THAT AS MANY PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND STAFF BE AT THIS MEETING, TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING DISCUSSED ABOUT MARK'S MEADOW, WILDWOOD, FORT RIVER AND CROCKER FARM, THE EVENTUAL REDISTRICTING OF THE SCHOOLS, THE POSSIBLE CLOSURE OF MARK'S MEADOW AND THE POTENTIAL CUTS IN NEXT YEAR'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUDGET.
CHILD CARE IS PROVIDED FROM 7 PM TO 9 PM, FOR CHILDREN 4 YEARS OLD AND UP. PLEASE TRY TO GET CHILDCARE FOR YOUR FAMILY, BUT IF THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE WE WILL MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS MONITORED. CHILD CARE IS IN THE GYM AND IN THE LIBRARY. THE MEETING MAY NOT BE OVER UNTIL AFTER 9PM, HOWEVER, WE WILL BE RELEASING OUR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AT 9 PM SHARP.
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After seeing the numbers last night and wracking my brain over them, I’m sorry to say that in my admittedly amateur opinion, the potential closing of MM is starting to make sense.
The figures are still preliminary, but since they’ve been calculated by the financial office, I trust them more than previous estimates – and they’re worse! I’d hoped the other reconfiguring plans would prove viable, but sadly they showed losses (!) instead of savings. I’d hoped the savings estimates for the closing of MM wouldn’t be as great as predicted, but while I stand by my critiques of both the reasoning and tone that’s appeared in sundry posts, Catherine is correct in saying she owes no apology for her numbers there.
At even the lowest tier of cuts, instrumental music is on the chopping block, and I think that’s a mistake for the entire district. Further, while I doubt we’ll face the worst case scenario, it’s completely reasonable to believe we’ll face more than the first tier cuts.
It was suggested at the meeting our economic doldrums would last a decade – I think that’s extreme and unreasonable. I don’t think it unreasonable to expect them to last two years or so and plan accordingly. In fact, I think it would be wise.
While the value of both MM and IM is clear in my mind, I can’t explain how to pay for them. I’d love to say I have a great idea for coming up with more money, but I don’t. Unless the teacher’s union steps up and expresses a willingness to delay or reduce their contractual raises (teacher’s union are you listening?) I don’t see how such a big gap can be closed. I’m just one thinker, and again, an amateur. If someone comes up with something that makes sense, I’m there. I’ll certainly let everyone know if I come up with one myself.
I support the idea, suggested at the meeting, of raising property taxes, but don’t see it happening. We bought our forty-four year old home two years ago, haven’t made any renovations, and just got hit with a $1k property tax increase. Add that to an unexpected drop in our income and we’re scrambling to pay the bills.
In spite of that, my love and respect for MM is such that I’d vote in favor of increasing taxes in a heartbeat. At the same time, I know a family that home schools, suffered a job loss, and is now trying to sell their house because they can no longer afford it. I can’t ask them to support more taxes.
To back up a bit, if we somehow wind up at First Tier cuts, I don’t believe we CAN’T find the money to keep MM and IM. If at all possible, I think it’s far, far, far wiser to delay redistricting until next year so the proper time and thought can be given to the process.
Beyond that, if closing MM comes to pass, I’d strongly suggest we try to hang on to the MM building in case the situation changes in the future (free utilities!).
I also implore the council to further study the option of moving the 6th grade to ARMS while closing MM. I realize the numbers there are particularly unknown, but it strikes me as the best of the bad choices. In addition to creating a stronger middle school community, it would reduce overall size for all the elementary schools – and I do believe school size impacts achievement. It would also set the stage for regionalization.
This is depressing. It’s easy to toss the blame on the current economy, but I see it more as a sad comment on Amherst’s leadership. It’s a reflection on their inability to plan, innovate, increase our tax base, and on and on that we’ve been brought to a point where eliminating an educational gem like MM becomes thinkable – but that’s where I believe we are.
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