Voters in the Essex Westford School District are heading to the polls to vote on next year’s school budget. It failed on the first try last year, so the district has proposed a bold plan this time to cut costs. The district is proposing what they call a realignment of students and school buildings.That includes a consolidation plan that would shift middle schoolers in Westford to Essex Middle School.District leaders say these changes will allow them to offer more student services while also reducing building and staffing costs.“So, with the repurposing of both Summit Street, we’re able to move students over to Hiawatha with increased some class size there, so that we’re able to have enough space for all the students,” said Robert Carpenter, EWSD board chair. Carpenter says that 80% of the district’s budget is staffing, and the proposed plan includes some reductions in that department as well.Parents do have concerns about the consolidation, and they say longer bus rides and larger classes could impact their kids’ learning. “The idea that we can be — that we can fit into five districts and have the same kind of outcomes and the same kind of community feel that we get with our local school boards is absurd,” said Liz Subin, an Essex resident. With fewer school sites to manage, the district believes students can still get the support they need.“And we know the cuts were difficult this year. But we really believe that next year could be even worse.” Carpenter added. The district has already made more than $5 million in cuts this year.
Voters in the Essex Westford School District are heading to the polls to vote on next year’s school budget.
It failed on the first try last year, so the district has proposed a bold plan this time to cut costs.
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The district is proposing what they call a realignment of students and school buildings.
That includes a consolidation plan that would shift middle schoolers in Westford to Essex Middle School.
District leaders say these changes will allow them to offer more student services while also reducing building and staffing costs.
“So, with the repurposing of both Summit Street, we’re able to move students over to Hiawatha with increased some class size there, so that we’re able to have enough space for all the students,” said Robert Carpenter, EWSD board chair.
Carpenter says that 80% of the district’s budget is staffing, and the proposed plan includes some reductions in that department as well.
Parents do have concerns about the consolidation, and they say longer bus rides and larger classes could impact their kids’ learning.
“The idea that we can be — that we can fit into five districts and have the same kind of outcomes and the same kind of community feel that we get with our local school boards is absurd,” said Liz Subin, an Essex resident.
With fewer school sites to manage, the district believes students can still get the support they need.
“And we know the cuts were difficult this year. But we really believe that next year could be even worse.” Carpenter added.
The district has already made more than $5 million in cuts this year.
