Brookline Schools Budget Issues Causing Concern

By Mary Vitale

BROOKLINE – Students in all eight of Brookline’s public elementary schools scored well above average on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System standardized tests in English language arts and math in 2006 and 2007, according to the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System published reports. Brookline High School officials say 98 percent of their students on average graduate and 91 percent of 2007 graduates went to college. But future progress is in question as Brookline public schools face a major financial crisis.

Chairwoman of the Brookline School Committee Judy Meyers said cuts in state education funding and a sharp increase in healthcare and energy costs have plunged Brookline into a budget crisis. If voters do not pass the $6.7 million tax override proposed by town officials this May, Meyers said the committee will need to cut $1.5 million out of the school’s budget to close the gap.

“This year we’ve really been struggling just to make ends meet,” she said. “It is a very difficult time for budget decisions.”

If the tax override is not passed, School Superintendent Dr. William Lupini said major school programs and staff positions will be cut before the start of the next academic year. The cuts include eliminating the fourth grade instrumental music program, terminating all library assistants in the elementary schools, and laying off one social worker, two guidance counselors, and three full-time teaching positions from Brookline High School.

“Historically, the public schools of Brookline have been considered one of the premier public school systems in the United States, as measured by grade-level competencies, high graduation rates, and placement of our graduates at highly competitive colleges and universities,” Lupini wrote in his budget message to the town. “Unfortunately, a number of factors have led to concerns about the ability of the town and school department to sustain the level of financial report that has contributed to this success.”

Brookline Town Administrator Richard Kelliher said the town’s school system draws many families to Brookline. He worries budget cuts will lower education standards and will make the town less attractive.

“We just have a lot of financial planning to deal with right now and will work our best to make sure our schools continue to provide children with a quality education,” Kelliher said.

The school committee has voiced unanimous support for the upcoming override, claiming schools are in desperate need of further funding. Committee member Helen Charlupski said she hopes residents will realize the urgency of the override.

“If these cuts are made in our budget, it will gravely lessen the services being provided for our children,” Charlupski said. “With state and federal aid diminishing more and more, we’ve already cut quite a bit from the schools and I’m worried if we eliminate even more this year, these cuts will really begin to take a toll on Brookline education.”

Without the passage of the override, 15 members of the schools’ staff would be cut before the start of the next academic year. Many schools would not receive improvements planned for 2009, such as building repairs and expansions, a longer day of instruction, and a new world languages program.

“We really are not comfortable with continuing to raise fees and making these significant cuts, but we really have no choice,” said Peter Rowe, Brookline School’s deputy superintendent for administration and finance. “If this override does not pass, then this is what we will be faced with.”
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