Tell Us: Should Schools Cut Enrichment, Challenge and Support Program

Brookline parents are fighting to save school enrichment programs, which could be eliminated due to budget cuts according to the Boston Globe.

The Globe reported that Superintendent Bill Lupini proposed eliminating these programs last month for next school year. The town is facing a surge in student enrollment, and increase in teacher pay, and possible sequester cuts for special education.

Lupini said that the program could be partially spared if it were privately funded.

The proposal puts Brookline’s Enrichment, Challenge and Support Program in danger. This program helps teachers provide challenging curriculum for high-achieving students and those who learn at a different pace in kindergarten to eighth grade. Cutting the Enrichment, Challenge and Support Program would save the school district about $264,000 in 2014.

Music classes would face cuts and elementary math specialists would have to be eliminated as well.

Superintendent Lupini also included a proposal of a $1,000 fee for each full-day kindergarten student, which would generate about $400,000 in revenue.

The School Committee is expected to vote on the budget on April 11.

Using the comments section below, tell us if you think these programs should be cut? How should the town handle this issue?