If staffing levels were held constant in Concord schools next year, salaries and benefits alone would increase by almost $3 million.

District officials have proposed a budget that lowers that number through a mix of reductions and additions. From a staffing perspective, they plan to make just under $1 million in staffing cuts, largely at Concord High, alongside roughly half a million dollars in new positions, including special education professionals and a renewed request for a school resource officer at the middle school.

A total of six teaching jobs would be eliminated at Concord High School. This includes two positions that are vacant or becoming vacant – an art teacher and a social studies teacher. Four teaching posts would be eliminated because of low enrollment in their courses: a science teacher and part-time German, English, and life sciences teachers. Three vacant English language tutor jobs will also be removed.

While district primary schools have been able to more flexibly shift or pare down teaching staff with enrollment changes, subject specialization makes that difficult at the high school.

“We do the elementary schools every year,” school board President Pamela Walsh said of enrollment adjustments. At the high school, though, “because they offer such diverse things, it sort of takes a while for staffing adjustments to catch up with enrollment.”

Other reductions would include currently vacant administrative posts, a high school receptionist and human resources assistant, alongside the elimination of a library instructional assistant and an online programming assistant, both of which are currently filled.

When it comes to additions, Assistant Superintendent John Fabrizio, who oversees special education, has asked for more support in occupational therapy and speech pathology. The average caseload for these therapists in Concord is nearly 50 students.

“Which is really high,” he told the school board this week, adding that “I wouldn’t be here asking for the positions if I didn’t feel the caseloads were rising.”

Another request by the administration was the addition of a school resource officer at Rundlett Middle School, an ask the school board unanimously voted down a year ago.

Middle school Principal Jay Richard reiterated his belief on Monday that a police officer in the school offers a unique benefit to students and staff.

“It’s another component of a sound middle school program. I really do believe that,” Richard said. Compared to a social worker, “It’s just a different role and responsibility, and I think I need to do a better job of educating the community about what that difference would look like.”

Several school board members wanted more clarity, continuing their skepticism about how substantial those benefits would be or that they are worth the $100,000 cost of funding the position, which is more than most teachers make.

“I just personally cannot justify $101,000 when we are splitting hairs at the high school right now for a job that could be absorbed by a social worker,” board member Sarah Robinson, the most vocal opponent of the pitch last year, said at Monday’s budget workshop. “I understand that there’s a special relationship with the Concord Police Department, with this individual, but I don’t see a relationship with your police department as a foundation stone in a quality education.”

The district has had a school resource officer at Concord High for years. Under the agreement between Concord Police and the district, the district pays 75% of what it costs to station an officer in school and has input in selecting who is chosen for the position.

The dialogue between Richard and the board Monday echoed his proposal last year. Some other administrators, including the high school principal and DEIJ coordinator, spoke in favor at the time, but parents and school board members opposed it for both budgetary and school culture reasons.

This proposal will continue to be weighed by the board and a full presentation from the middle school is expected later in the process.

District budget workshops will continue Wednesday night with presentations to include transportation and debt service. Public hearings on the budget will be held on March 17 and 19.

 

Catherine McLaughlin can be reached at cmclaughlin@cmonitor.com. You can subscribe to her Concord newsletter The City Beat at concordmonitor.com.