jackiedoherty.org

The state increased school funding for next year, and now it seems everybody wants to get their hands on it—everybody, that is, except for the children. Tonight in his budget proposal, the city manager recommended a $1.6 million cut in the city’s contribution to its schools. The school department based its budget on the city maintaining its contribution from last year, which was $21 million and represented 16% of the total school budget (state funding was $111 million last year). If the council approves the manager’s suggestion, the city will be decreasing its contribution to the schools by 8 percent. Cuts of this magnitude will not be absorbed easily and will require layoffs as well as severely hindering the district’s progress to improve the quality of education for the 14,000 children attending our public schools. 

During his address to the council tonight, Manager Lynch made a point of stating that his proposed budget will only require a 2.5% increase in taxes, while over the last five years, the taxes have increased about 6% annually. According to Lynch, his budget will cost taxpayers about $60 per homeowner. In addition, he said his budget will result in only about 11 layoffs for the city as well as some re-organizational changes. But why such a deep cut to the city’s already small portion of aid to its schools? (I haven’t seen the budget yet—it will be on the city’s website in the morning—but I bet other departments will not be cut 8%.) Look at funding history: As mentioned, the proposed school budget is based on the city contributing the same amount as last year: $21 million. Contrast that to the city’s contribution to its schools in 1992: $25.5 million—nearly five million dollars more—15 years ago! In 2002 and 2003, the city made its lowest contribution to the schools in over a decade: $12.7 million each year; and the schools still have not recovered from those cuts. (The state covered 90% of the costs for educating our children during those two years.) It is true that the state increased our chapter 70 allocation for schools by $4.8 million, making this year’s state contribution about $115 million, but $3.2 million of those funds went directly to pay for fixed cost increases such as more »

Happening by the High School last week, I found the annual job fair in full swing. I was impressed by the wide range of opportunities available for students, from fast food restaurants to banks and credit unions. UPS was there, as was Lowell Memorial Auditorium and the Boys and Girls Club.  In addition, there were several hundred students circulating, talking to prospective employers and filling out job applications, this despite the fact that it was an absolutely beautiful spring day, as well as an early release day. So, the students who attended actually came back to school for the afternoon event. Good for them!

The job fair is sponsored by LHS and Middlesex Community College.