Budget Update 4.23.24

 

Dear North Reading Public Schools Community,

This email is a reminder of the upcoming Community Informational Webinar on the Town Budget Process on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 8:00 p.m. The link for this virtual meeting will be posted here when available.

It is very important that all parents, caregivers, families, and staff attend either the Webinar or the in-person session on May 9, 2024 in the Distance Learning Lab at the North Reading Middle High School to learn more.

We will be discussing the budget gaps that are impacting not only this upcoming year (FY25) but also the following two years (FY26 and FY27). 

The current budget for next school year, voted last night by the North Reading School Committee, includes the following $1.2 million dollars in cuts:

• Meets all contractual salary and operational expense obligations;

• Elimination of 15.2 positions;

• Higher class sizes and student/teacher caseload at all levels;

• Less breadth and depth of curriculum at secondary level;

• Reduced ability to address student health issues and nursing coverage;

• Less digital learning and technology staff for instruction and tech support;

• Less ability to address students in need of academic support;

• Less funding for classroom supplies and technology

• Less Custodial staff for cleaning services and coverage needs;

• Higher coach to student athlete ratio’s

• Higher risk for budget overages and increased reliance on special revenue accounts (i.e. food service account);

• Increased user fees to families for the busing program.

Voters will have the opportunity to consider an override proposal that will allow us to continue with level services funding for these vital programs and opportunities for students as well as to continuously improve as a district. ​The two upcoming information sessions are meant to clarify questions about the budget process and to inform the public about the budgetary needs of the Town and the Schools in North Reading.

Date and time	Topic	Location	Presenters
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 8:00 p.m.	Community Informational Webinar	Virtual, link to be shared soon	Town Administrator, Town Finance Director, Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations
Thursday, May 9, 2024 7:30 p.m.	Community Informational In-person Session	In-person, North Reading Middle/High School Distance Learning Lab	Town Administrator, Town Finance Director, Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations
June 10, 2024 7:00 p.m.	Town Meeting	North Reading Middle/High School	Town Boards and Officials

Please also see the Town of North Reading’s page for additional information by visiting  FY25 Budget Central to see a list of recent and upcoming meetings, documents, and presentations.

​Thank you,

​Dr. Daly