By Scott MacKeen
Contributor
5/29/08

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“This was brought up at School Committee (meetings), which are always open to the public,” she said.
A presentation unveiled at Town Meeting (and published by the Milton Times on May 15) gave a clear picture of the kind of losses schools face. Parents at the meeting expressed concerns about the cuts highlighted in the presentation.
At least 17 teachers will be laid off, some classes will be cut at most grade levels, and some school programs and services will no longer be funded, officials say. A 50 percent decrease in instructional supplies and equipment will also result in increased need for parents and teachers to provide their own materials in classrooms.
“This is unconscionable,” said Sandy Capplis about the cuts, saying that parents had not been made aware of the budgeting process.
“I will be heartbroken if this is what I have to look forward to (for our children),” added Reedy Kream.
Of particular concern to parents was the impact on elementary level funding. Officials say that two first grade classes and four elementary school FTEs (full-time equivalent) will be cut and student class sizes will increase as a result of budget cuts. Capplis and Kream, who have children at the elementary level, say they are worried that more students per classroom will increase the burden on teachers and impact the fundamental early learning years of their children.
“There’s so much agreement about the benefits of smaller classrooms,” said Mandy Donovan. “It is fundamental to have our students developing (reading and writing) skills at this age, or else they will always have to struggle to keep up. It will cost us more in the long run if we don’t teach them well now.”
Science Curriculum
Also at the meeting, Science Director Barbara Plonski presented findings of a science review team that was put in place last year to monitor new classroom programs. Elementary level programs include new science experiment projects for students and a grade K-5 school field trip to Blue Hills. Plonski says that these programs have been successful in getting students out of traditional classroom settings and into actively engaging ones.
Assistant Superintendent Mary Gormley commended Plonski and the science department for what she called a tremendous contribution to the town.
“She had the vision to get this (Blue Hills field trip) off the ground,” Gormley said. “I’ve seen buses from schools across the state, and now it’s good to see our students getting there”
Plonski also announced success in programs at the middle school, where she says new technologies and activity-based student projects have enhanced teacher instructions, and at the high school, where a new biotech lab has led more students to take AP science. She concluded that budget cuts and resulting loss of teachers and increased class sizes would be a problem in the new school year.