Halifax School Committee Grapples with 10% Budget Cut Request
Potential staff reductions, larger class sizes considered to meet town's demand
HALIFAX - January 13 - The Halifax Elementary School Committee is facing a daunting challenge as it considers how to meet the town's request for a 10% reduction in the school's fiscal year 2026 budget. During a recent meeting, committee members and school officials discussed various cost-cutting measures, including potential staff reductions and increased class sizes, while expressing concerns about maintaining educational quality.
Dr. Jill Proulx, the district's Superintendent, presented a preliminary budget that outlined the impact of the requested cuts. The level service budget for FY26 is $8,400,140, but after accounting for anticipated circuit breaker funds, the school would need to reduce spending by approximately $2.13 million to meet the town's request.
"There is absolutely no connection between supporting the Strategy for District Improvement and a 10% decrease," Proulx said. "In fact, the reality is we would anticipate seeing more gaps in achievement, less support for students, and things of that nature."
The committee reviewed a tiered approach to budget cuts, with each tier representing increasingly severe reductions. Tier 1 cuts, totaling $77,608, have already been made to curriculum, supplies, equipment, and subscriptions.
Tier 2 cuts would involve reducing paraprofessional and teaching staff, potentially increasing class sizes by an average of eight students per classroom. Tier 3 would further reduce staff and increase class sizes to an average of 39 students per classroom. Tier 3 cuts eliminates another 7 teachers, further increasing class sizes and bringing the budget in line with the town’s request.
Principal Kayne Beaudry explained the impact of these cuts: "Class sizes will increase by 8 students per classroom on average, and special ed caseload will also increase by 6 students per teacher on average. We would have reduced special education support in all classrooms, reduced specialist offerings for all students, and there will be no math or ELA supports offered at all beyond the classroom teacher."
Committee members expressed concern about the potential impact on students and the school's ability to meet legal requirements. Member Lori Costa-Cline stated, "I don't really see myself voting for any cuts."
The committee also discussed alternative cost-saving measures, including implementing bus fees for students living within two miles of the school and potentially shifting to half-day kindergarten with tuition charges for full-day attendance.
"Half-day kindergarten, we would have to bus them back, so would that just increase the busing again, and that would cause more issues?" asked one committee member.
Superintendent Proulx cautioned that while these options could be explored, they might not generate significant savings and could present logistical challenges.
The committee requested more detailed information on these alternatives for their next meeting, including potential savings from bus fees and the financial implications of changing kindergarten offerings.
Some committee members advocated for presenting the full budget needs to the town rather than making cuts. "I'm going to propose that we ask the town for all of it because we cut everything last year," said Jessica Page.
Others emphasized the need to educate the community about the potential impact of the cuts. "I honestly think if the townspeople were presented with these tiered cuts at a town meeting, they would be up in arms," Kathleen Berry stated.
The Committee noted that Halifax currently ranks as the sixth-lowest district in Massachusetts for per-pupil expenditures. However, Chair Lauren Laws cautioned that this comparison includes K-12 districts and may not be directly applicable to Halifax's K-6 structure.
Committee members also discussed the possibility of exploring cost-saving measures such as bringing occupational and physical therapy services in-house rather than contracting them out.
The committee plans to review more detailed budget scenarios at their next meeting on Feb. 10. They also intend to work with town officials to potentially include a warrant article at the upcoming town meeting to address school funding.