Possible loss of 30 Middleboro school positions draws anger

MIDDLEBORO - The current proposed Middleboro school budget calls for the elimintation of nearly 30 positions, prompting anger and concern among educators in attendance at the Feb. 12 School Committee meeting.

The district faces a potential budget shortfall of $2.2 million, interim school Superintendent Michael Perrone said.

The shortfall represents the difference between the $43.1 million budget, up 3.2 percent by the town's reccomendation, and the $45.3 million needed to fund current services,  he said.

This was the first public look at the budget. Committee members agreed to look at the budget again to improve the situation.

 Perrone said increased costs  for special education students who attend programs out of the district is a significant reason for the budget challenge. Those costs have nearly doubled in four years, he said, from $2.6 million for the 2023-24 school year to $4.971 million in the upcoming year.

Declining state and federal funding, including a possible drop in state aid, and the loss of some grants also hurt the budget, he said.

Perrone presented a scenario with 29.5 positions cut, including keeping vacant posts unfilled.

This would include the full-time equivalent of 23 teachers. One position is currently vacant, and he estimated 15 people leave through resignations or retirements each year.

Vacant posts include a school counselor, paraprofessional and maintenance employee.

Cuts also include the full-time equivalent of two administrators. He estimated four administrators usually leave each year.

The equivalent of 1.5 support staff members would be cut, and a half-time position is already vacant.

Educators and school supporters filled a large portion of the Middleboro High School auditorium and expressed anger at the proposed reductions.

“When we cut budgets, it affect students,’’ educator Tony Chiuppi said. “Let’s go back to the town and figure this out.’’

“Educators are scared right now,’’ teacher Samuel Mosher said. “Please don’t let them throw away our children’s futures.’’

Perrone said the cuts were made to cause “the least amount of pain.’’

Committee member Susan Pennini, who sits on the budget subcommittee with Christopher Benson, said determining the cuts was a “painful process’’and said the reductions were “not done in a cavalier kind of way.’’

Committee member Allin Frawley urged those concerned to attend the Select Board public hearing on the budget scheduled for March 9 and the School Committee public hearing March 12.

“We could use some help’’ at the Select Board meeting, he said “We’ll be begging, borrowing, doing whatever we can to get some more money out of them’’