Impact of Budget Reductions
Over the past two decades, the community of Goffstown has consistently spent far less money per pupil to educate its students than the vast majority of School Districts in the State. While this helps the tax rate, it also means that additional cuts in the District’s budget have far greater impact.
Budget cuts and positions that were not filled in order to meet the state’s reduction in their portion of retirement costs include the Special Education Facilitator at Mountain View Middle School, teaching positions, para-professionals, a technology position and a custodian.
The loss of the Special Education Facilitator at MVMS did not eliminate any needed services but simply placed the demands on the existing administration detracting from their ability to provide supervision and evaluation of staff, professional development for staff, and direct interaction with students.
The loss of teaching positions has increased class sizes and reduced our course offerings. Not only does this limit the variety and availability of educational opportunity, but research also suggests that increased class size has a negative impact on student learning.
Staff reductions in the technology department have hindered our ability to provide much needed support to staff and students for technology needs and to maintain our technology assets. Technology is an essential component in the operation of the district and the education of students for the 21st century, and is woven into the fabric of the curriculum, teaching methodology and assessment. In much the same way that the District must maintain its buildings, it must also maintain its technological resources or that capital investment will rapidly deteriorate.
While positions have been reduced, there are also many services that have been redacted. One item included in these reductions is the elimination, for a second year, of the late bus service for Goffstown students (Dunbarton and New Boston middle and high school students continue to have this service provided by their towns). We have received feedback that our students and families have been negatively affected by this cut, particularly at the Middle School level. Many after school activities and programs such as student council have seen decreased involvement due to students not being able to get home without bus service. Additionally, students who need extra help after school have likewise become challenged in receiving that help due to transportation issues.
Working through this budgetary climate requires making very difficult decisions. As we strive to make reductions that have the least possible negative impact on students while also meeting the budget approved by the voters, there will always be consequences to those decisions.
As we begin a new budget cycle for the 2012-2013 year, we encourage all citizens of the Goffstown Community to get involved. The Goffstown School Board will have their first look at the 2012-2013 budget that is being proposed by the Superintendent at our meeting on October 17th. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend.