Proposed cuts include 5th grade instrumental music and 7th grade foreign language.
WILBRAHAM – The Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee has scheduled a public forum on the fiscal 2012 regional school budget Thursday night at 7 in the Minnechaug Regional High School auditorium.
The Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee has approved a fiscal 2012 school budget which calls for the reduction of 16 teaching positions.
School Superintendent M. Martin O’Shea said the regional school district “is experiencing its most challenging budget in many years.”
M. Martin O'SheaHe said the school district needs to cover a $1.5 million shortfall.
O’Shea said many valued programs are slated to be eliminated, including fifth grade instrumental music, seventh grade foreign language and art instruction at Thornton W. Burgess Middle School in Hampden.
O’Shea also has proposed eliminating information technology and a science and engineering program at Wilbraham Middle School.
In a letter to the community posted on the school district website, O’Shea said, “I deeply understand the importance of foreign language, the arts, science and engineering. In these programs our children learn to imagine, create and innovate.”
O’Shea said he remains hopeful that additional revenue or savings can be identified which will lessen the need for cuts.
He said the Hampden Wilbraham Regional School Committee is scheduled to enter into formal discussion with the main collective bargaining unit, the Hampden Wilbraham Education Association.
He said staffing and program reductions will be needed unless negotiations with collective bargaining units to reduce costs are successful.
Existing contracts are not set to expire until 2013.
“It may be several days or weeks until the budget picture becomes clearer,” O’Shea said. He added that the Thursday night forum will provide residents “the opportunity to ask questions and provide the administrative team and School Committee with critical feedback.”
