Schools Budget $2.8 million Below Level Services

Shrewsbury Public School leaders say they are financially behind where they should be to provide students with the education opportunities they need to succeed.

According to a report on the Worcester Telegram and Gazette website, the school department's initial budget was $4.4 million above their current request and that their current request is nearly $3 million behind level services.

The Telegram reports that the initial budget request sought to restore 21 teaching positions that had been cut and reduce class size, but that number has been reduced.

"The district needs a budget increase of $2.8 million to maintain current school programs and class sizes. [Sawyer] noted the lower amount does not represent a change in the current request and said the School Committee is meeting next week to revise its budget," the Telegram reports.

The current budget request is at $50.22 million. The three boards will continue to review the fiscal climate in the town and are expected to meet again in April.