At the December 2, 2008 School Committee meeting, Superintendent Gutekanst presented his FY10 budget request of $45.4 million.

This request includes a $1.6 million, or 3.9%, increase over FY 09. The successful November 2008 override will add an additional $1.1 million to this total to cover the costs associated with opening the High Rock Sixth Grade Center. Together, the requested increase and the funds from the override total $2.7 million and result in a total increase of 6.4% over FY09.

Beyond the High Rock $1.1 million funded by the November override, the budget increases come in three areas:

• Salaries: $1.9 million
• Special education: $324,000
• Additional staffing in the Needham High School TV studio: $16,000

Because these increases total more than the expected growth in revenues, Superintendent Gutekanst has proposed $700,000 in cuts: 4 teaching positions at Needham High School and another 1.5 Pollard and kindergarten teaching positions.

Moreover, the superintendent could not include in his budget request approximately $800,000 in requests that the principals thought were needed, nor could he restore earlier cuts to elementary media, physical education, and foreign language.

The superintendent warned that the schools may see further cuts if the state economy worsens and if the district loses grant money it counts on.

The superintendent described this budget as supporting the district's technology infrastructure but also reducing services and slowing the district's progress in reaching its goals. He also stated that future budgets may require additional revenue to avoid further cuts.

At the same time, Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick complimented the superintendent for his "judicious" request. Needham's budget is likely to weather troubles in the state economy, Ms. Fitzpatrick explained, because all departments have submitted realistic budget requests.

If you'd like to see the Needham High School TV Studio at work, you can watch a broadcast at http://nhs.needham.k12.ma.us/NHSN/Jan-7-09.htm.

In September, the School Committee published a five-year financial forecast. You can read it at http://district.needham.k12.ma.us/finances_pdf/REVFY09_ProForma.pdf.

Nomination papers are now available for anyone interested in running for Town Meeting. Town Meeting Members are elected by voters in their precincts in the April 14 town election. They serve for three years and represent their precincts by voting at the Annual and Special Town Meetings. Town Meeting usually meets no more than seven evenings per year. They play a crucial role in town government because most decisions, including all spending decisions, must be approved by Town Meeting. Parents of school-aged children who serve as Town Meeting Members can ensure that the schools' concerns are voiced at Town Meeting; they will also gain a greater sense of the entire town budget.

If you would like to run for Town Meeting, you must pick up nomination papers in the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall and get 10 signatures of support from registered voters in your precinct. Nomination papers with signatures must be returned to the Town Clerk by February 24.

Stand for Children advocates for K-12 public education. The Massachusetts chapter has established itself as a powerful voice for public schools: each April, it brings hundreds of parents to the State House to speak to legislators; each January, it trains parents and local officials to energize their communities; and throughout the year, it mobilizes voters to contact their legislators about education bills. Stand has won several battles on Beacon Hill: it played a key part in last year's closing of the corporate tax loopholes and was one of the "No on Question 1" organizers.

Stand for Children's strength is in its numbers. Its influence on Beacon Hill comes from its ability to say, "We have X members from X communities across the Commonwealth." Therefore, please consider a $25 membership to Stand for Children. You can join by visiting the Stand website at www.stand.org/joinus.