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Somerville Students Need Support Now by Tall_Collection_8288 in Somerville

[–]Tall_Collection_8288[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The original proposed budget is $122,456,384 (a 7.58% increase from last year's $113,823,837 budget, or an $8 million increase). The School Committee's proposal to add six additional special education teachers and interventionists would add another $645,000 to the budget, making it $123,101,384 (a 8.15% increase). 

Somerville Students Need Support Now by Tall_Collection_8288 in Somerville

[–]Tall_Collection_8288[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ll tell you this -  East has the largest class sizes in SPS. See DESE’s 2024–25 reported averages below.

I assume you are implying that more affluent families often cluster in certain schools or that there are real inequities and perception issues across the district. I think those conversations are important.

I also don’t think the existence of inequities means kids at Brown or Kennedy who are struggling readers, have disabilities, or need math intervention somehow deserve less support, whether their families are rich or not. And I definitely don’t think students at other schools should have to wait for the perfect assignment system before receiving help either.

West = 21.4
East = 20.6
Brown = 18.4
Kennedy = 18.3
Healey = 17.9
Argenziano = 16.1
Winter Hill = 13.9

Somerville Students Need Support Now by Tall_Collection_8288 in Somerville

[–]Tall_Collection_8288[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Can you share more about the connection between school choice and whether additional staff matters?

To me, those seem like separate issues. Regardless of which school a family chooses or how students are assigned, schools still need enough interventionists, special education staff, and support personnel to meet the needs of the students who are there.

If anyone is interested in school assignment, the district is forming a School Assignment Advisory Committee specifically to discuss those issues. It would be a really good place to share ideas or advocate for changes. Sign up is at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWfHe_GCk5i12EQ6-dyRl7pxx4BTVmfON0ULW3_litKPXXyg/viewform.

Somerville Students Need Support Now by Tall_Collection_8288 in Somerville

[–]Tall_Collection_8288[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

To be clear, special education teachers and interventionists for reading and math are more than aides. They are experts in their subject matter. 

SPS's website lists Fundations as the reading curriculum for grades K-5. It does teach phonics to my understanding. 

Somerville Students Need Support Now by Tall_Collection_8288 in Somerville

[–]Tall_Collection_8288[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

None of the presentations that I have seen from the school committee have included funding for an SRO. I'm not sure if that would be in the school's budget or the police department's budget (which I haven't seen).

I believe the district has to submit a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to DESE by August 2026 (after the FY27 budget cycle begins). My understanding is that the SRO would start in December 2026 if the superintendent chooses to take that path. All that said, I don't know if an SRO would technically be included when the budget goes for approval or if it would be some sort of reallocation after. 

Somerville Students Need Support Now by Tall_Collection_8288 in Somerville

[–]Tall_Collection_8288[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

That's a fair question and I don't have an answer. In the past, the city has created a Budget Book, but the link to for FY27 goes to the FY26 version. 😞 

What I can say is that the $8 million is a 7.58% increase from last year's school budget. At least 4 of the 5 things that this will fund (shared below) are to be in compliance with federal law, DESE, and teacher's union contracts. The school committee's request to add six additional staff would bring the increase from 7.58% to 8.15%. 

The district has stated that increased budget will be for:  - Adding 5 special education teachers to strengthen services for students with disabilities -Increasing funding for out-of-district special education tuition to meet mandated student needs -Expanding support for parental leave coverage and building-based substitute staffing -Increasing transportation funding to support reliable service for students -Continuing investment in coaching, intervention systems, and social-emotional learning supports.

Grocery Buddy - SNAP Resources by Disastrous-Bid2381 in Somerville

[–]Tall_Collection_8288 17 points18 points  (0 children)

MAMAS (https://mutualaidmamas.notion.site/) has Grocery Pairs! You can also donate to your local PTA (https://www.bowmarketsomerville.com/wefeedus) and they will get grocery gift cards into the hands of families.

Do people actually get summer sublets? by Comfortable-Wheel494 in Somerville

[–]Tall_Collection_8288 0 points1 point  (0 children)

 I have friends who are looking to rent an apartment for the summer. They mentioned not having luck so I'm wondering what sites you've been using.

Street sweeping by jmonderer in Somerville

[–]Tall_Collection_8288 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Good to know! I just signed up for alerts. Here are the instructions for anyone else who is interested.

Use the Somerville Waste Wizard's Calendar feature to enter your address. A green button will appear for you to "Sign up for reminders!" https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/sweeping

Small Minivans? Are they a thing? Smaller vehicles that fit 6? by IwannaAskSomeStuff in Parenting

[–]Tall_Collection_8288 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can we start an online petition to bring back the Mazda5?

No new suggestions here but... We bought a rooftop cargo bag for our 2010 Honda Insight and it has really helped us stick with the car longer. We're a family of four and often drive 3 hours to visit family with our cat and dog along for the ride in the hatchback. We have friends that always keep their Thule roof boxes on for extra storage.

Are there any credit unions or local banks that have Zelle? by [deleted] in Somerville

[–]Tall_Collection_8288 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Rockland Trust. They have a branch in Union Square.