Hochman Details Staff Cuts

Bedford Superintendent Jere Hochman reviewed in further detail Wednesday night the proposed staff reductions and spending reductions

He specified the reductions across three levels—in simple terms, do-able, dramatic and drastic.

The first two levels, he said, are necessary to keep the district at the allowable tax levy limit of 2.7 percent. The third tier was presented as a contingency plan—if voters reject the budget twice at the polls—but contained cuts that will likely be included in a 2013-14 budget. 

“The reality is, based on the property tax cap law and our collective decision to stay at the allowable cap, unless we can find other cuts, we really have limited options," said Board President, Susan Elion Wollin, after hearing Hochman's presentation. "The third level budget cuts are where we are headed without mandate relief in a tax cap environment."

Of the 56 positions slated for elimination in the first two tiers, eight are teachers, 37 are related to the district's decision to outsource transportation and the remaining positions include teaching aides, instructional assistants, an occupational therapist, a custodian and a maintenance mechanic.

Hochman drilled down into what the impact of certain cuts could mean—for example, a new physical education model the district was "pressed to try" may result in two classes being taught by one master teacher and an instructional aide; the elementary music program would see a reduction in the use of an accompanist and in music instruction taking place before or after school hours.

In addition, a high school elective teaching position dependent upon course registrations may end up as a reduction of certain sections instead of one individual position. On service positions like occupational thereapy being cut, Hochman said he hoped these "critical supports" might be supplanted creatively, perhaps through community groups.

When asked by Wollin what feedback he's had so far, Hochman replied that it was limited because the information was just beginning to roll out. He planned to meet with administrators, teachers and coordinators prior to presenting his final budget to the board on April 11. 

He said he would be listening to a variety of perspectives and was already prepared with a three-part response to those asking for a budget item to be preserved: If taken off the list of cuts, what would be eliminated in its place, how does it align with the district's guiding principles and what alternatives exist such as outside funding or support from a community agency.

Wollin said she hoped the general public would become engaged with the budget process.

"We've [the board] been discussing the budget for a full school year because of how you organized the process." she said. "It would be great to hear from community members now that we have had a chance to hear the realities."

The board must adopt a budget by April 18. The draft budget is available on the district's website.