Superintendents_update

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January 2010

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 28 Jan '10

28 Jan '10

January 28, 2010 Dear Parents and Guardians: Two updates to conclude the week: Parent Survey Don't forget to complete the Needham Public Schools' Parent Survey. To date about 15% of our Needham families have completed the survey, and we would like to see at least 20% contribute their perspective and ideas. It is important that we hear from as many parents as possible so that our educational planning can reflect the input of a variety of constituents in Needham. The results of the survey will be shared at an upcoming School Committee meetings and in the annual Performance Report. Your feedback is important to us and we thank you in advance for taking the time to share your opinions and comments. Please submit your survey by February 1. You can access the survey at the following URL: http://www.elisten.com/web30/surveys/77E0127C2182442795D5278E341E805F Budget Update At its meeting this past Tuesday evening, the School Committee approved a budget plan totaling $46,059,078 for the 2010-11 school year (FY11), a 1.49% increase, or $676,193, over the current year. You may access budget information on the school department's website by clicking here: [ http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/finance/Budget ]FY11 Budget Information While the budget plan preserves the programs that the community values, there are several painful reductions in the budget due to increased costs and limited new sources of revenue. I want to commend the School Committee for tackling an extremely difficult and complicated budget. Your School Committee members have invested countless hours, early in the morning, late into the evening, and on many weekends studying the funding requests, making suggestions for balancing the funding plan, and collaborating with the Finance Committee to ensure our students receive the best possible level of resources. I appreciate their tireless work and energy and the wisdom and perspective they bring to their role in this community. It is an honor to work with a great School Committee! For additional thoughts about the budget and next steps, please read my blog: [ http://npssuperintendent.blogspot.com/ ]Superintendent's Blog As always, please feel free to contact me with questions or comments: 781.455.0400 (x203) or dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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Superintendent's Update
by Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update 10 Jan '10

10 Jan '10

Dear Parents and Guardians: Let me take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Happy New Year! Allow me also to share two important updates: Budget Proposal As you may have heard, the budget picture for the Needham Public Schools this year is extremely difficult, and the preliminary budget I shared with the School Committee in December details several areas of reductions, including classroom teaching positions at all levels. The poor national and local economic climate, decreased state and local funding, and increasing contractual and special education costs have created the need to reduce teachers, administrative support, and classroom supplies. In fact, this will be the first year in recent memory where we propose to have fewer teachers working with our students next year than we have this year, despite growing enrollment. Key 2010-11 (Fiscal Year '11) Preliminary Budget Highlights: - Reduction of 3.0 elementary classroom teachers, resulting in larger class sizes at the 4th grade level in all schools; - Reduction of 2.0 Pollard classroom teachers. resulting in larger class sizes and/or a reorganization - Reduction of 2.0 high school teachers resulting in decreased program offerings and higher class sizes; - Reduction of administrative support and teaching assistants; - Reductions in professional development, support services, educational and athletic supplies The School Committee is currently considering a 1% increase in the budget for next year when, in reality, we need close to a 5% increase just to maintain a current level of services for the 2010-11 school year. Unfortunately, we face additional reductions for the 2011-12 school year due to the significant decrease in state and local revenue and aid. The School Committee is working closely with the school administration, Finance Committee, and Town Manager's office to ensure that student and school programs are minimally affected, but it is a significant challenge, and one that all communities are facing this year and next. The Needham School Committee invites you to attend the upcoming Budget Hearing scheduled for Wednesday, January 20th at 7:00 p.m. at Broadmeadow to learn about the budget proposal and share your comments, questions, and concerns. It will be critical for parents to weigh in on the budget and offer your perspective and voice. You may view an outline of the NPS FY11 Preliminary Budget at the district's website: [ http://rwd1.needham.k12.ma.us/finance/Budget#FY11 ]NPS FY 11 Budget Proposal Parent Survey Below you will find a link that will take you to a survey that seeks your opinions and comments regarding the performance of the Needham Public Schools. We administer this survey every two years so that we can consider parent input as we plan and implement improvements to our educational programs. A summary of the results of this survey will be shared at a School Committee Meeting in March and will also be posted on the Needham Public Schools Student Development website at that time. You may find the 15 minute survey link here: [ http://www.elisten.com/web30/surveys/77E0127C2182442795D5278E341E805F ]2010 NPS Parent Survey The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete and I ask that you complete it by February 1, 2010. If you have questions about the survey or the procedures, you may contact me at dan_gutekanst(a)needham.k12.ma.us As always, please feel free to contact me with questions or comments. Sincerely, Dan Gutekanst Superintendent of Schools

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