Norfolk Public Schools
Norfolk, Massachusetts 02056

Tel: (508) 528-1225 Ext: 1911   Fax: (508) 528-3739   e-mail: lukon@norfolk.k12.ma.us

Marcia A. Lukon, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools

April 29, 2002

Dear Staff, Parents, Guardians and Community Members,

This budget year has been, and continues to be a very difficult one. As the state legislators continue their budgeting process, news from the state has been continually changing. There has been a great deal of concern and speculation both at the state and town levels about how the present state budget crisis will impact the schools. I want to take this opportunity to tell you about our progress to date and where we are today in the budget process.

Background Information

Last fall, the administrative team and I planned a level-service budget that would maintain our programs, services and staff at the status quo. Since January the School Committee and I have been working to reduce our requested budget in the areas that would have the least negative impact on the education that we provide the children. Meanwhile we have been working with the Town to determine the level of funding that will be recommended for the schools in the overall Town budget.

As discussions continued, we were asked to prepare a level-funded (zero increase) budget. Based on the best information we had, we planned for that scenario. That process necessitated identifying reductions in every aspect of our operation, but most significantly and most difficult to bear, it identified reductions in our staff. Because of the uncertainty of which staff positions we would be able to fund next year and in consideration of the personal impact these decisions could have on our staff, regrettably, we were forced to inform many of our teachers and staff of the possibility that their positions may be reduced or eliminated. Just last week, however, the Town agreed to support a 3.0% increase for the elementary schools for the coming year. While this is not nearly enough to maintain level service, it does allow us to keep focused on our priority of maintaining reasonable class sizes and working to ensure an excellent core curriculum. Some services and programs will be reduced rather than entirely eliminated.

What is the impact?

I know that our community has had great concern about the effect of the budget on class sizes. While there may be a reduction in the numbers of sections at some grade levels, we will be able to maintain reasonable class size based on our current enrollment.

Class sizes for next year are projected to be: 

	Kindergarten 	19-20
	Grade 1		19-20 
	Grade 2-5	20-21
	Grades 6	21-22

Specials

While it is likely that art and music instruction in the kindergarten classes will be provided by classroom teachers rather than specialists, at this time I am anticipating that students in Grades 1-6 will have the same amount of art, music and physical education instruction that they are receiving now.

What we can expect!

I think it is important to point out at this time that while the figure for the school budget has been agreed upon at the town level, there are several factors that remain unknown at this time that could effect, either positively or negatively, what we can afford next year. Nothing can be ``set in stone'' at this time. We have had to make cuts to every aspect of our organization in order to reduce our budget from our original request of a 9.9% increase to 3.0% over last year. For your information, reductions or cuts have been made in the following areas:

There will be reductions in the length of the work year for the following:

These have been cut:

The following may also be lost: What a 3.0% budget allows us to maintain are the following:

As you can see, we have made every attempt to minimize the loss of jobs and programs.

A proposition 2 override has been discussed and seriously considered by the School Committee, Board of Selectmen and the Advisory Board, but given the present economy and the number of ballot questions that Norfolk voters have generously supported over the past few years, the Town leaders have decided not to pursue an override this year.

What can you do to help?

Parents often ask me what they can do to help and to support our schools. At this point, I believe that we have full cooperation and support at the Town level. We are being allocated what the town can afford. The impact of your support is needed at Town Meeting and at the state level where decisions are being made about the level of state funding for the towns and cities. Letters to the following encouraging them to minimize reductions in state support for schools could be helpful when decisions about the state budget are made. This in turn could help to support. 

	State Representative Scott Brown	State Senator Cheryl Jacques
	State House, Room 443			State House Room 312B
	Boston, MA  02133			Boston, MA  02133

	(Also Senate Ways and Means Committee)

	Thomas Birmingham			Thomas Finneran
	Massachusetts Senate President		Massachusetts Speaker of the House
	State House, Room 332			State House, 356
	Boston, MA  02133			Boston, MA  02133

	House Ways and Means Committee Chair
	John H. Rogers
	State House, Room 251
	Boston, MA  02133

Many of you have had questions to which I have not had answers because so much has remained speculative for so long. Not knowing is frustrating for everyone involved but especially for our teachers and staff who have received letters saying that their jobs may be reduced or eliminated. While this information still does not answer all questions, I hope that it provides you with the answers to some of them. As we receive further information, we will make every attempt to communicate it to you. Thank you for your continuing support for our schools.

Sincerely yours,
Marcia A. Lukon, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools

5/07/2002

###

Home