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  2. URGENT- Budget Cuts Proposed that will Affect Duffy
URGENT- Budget Cuts Proposed that will Affect Duffy
Thu, Apr 4 1:47pm

Dear Duffy Community-

 

As many of you are aware, the WHPS School Budget for the 2024-2025 school year is set to be approved at tonight’s Board of Ed meeting at town hall. The budget includes two issues that will affect us significantly at Duffy: the loss of counselors for all elementary schools in town, and larger class sizes at Duffy. 

 

Duffy currently has the largest class sizes of all elementary schools in the district. The projected budget includes the loss of two class sections. The projected enrollment numbers can be seen here. Duffy’s average class size will rise to 22.4 students/class, while the rest of the district averages 19.7 students/class. More detail on the class size inequity that is proposed can be seen here. These cuts will eventually impact all students at Duffy- not to mention the impacts all of these cuts will have on our teachers. The current budget proposal reduces Duffy’s overall class sections from 24 to 22 sections- potentially losing 2 of our Duffy teachers. 

 

The Board of Ed is set to approve this year’s proposed budget with these changes TONIGHT, APRIL 4th at 7pm -  Town Hall in the Legislative Chamber Room 314. We are asking for your IMMEDIATE ACTION. There are three ways to take action: 

  • Attend tonight’s meeting wearing your Duffy Green to show solidarity. High turnout would be impactful, even if you can attend for a portion of the meeting. 
  • Speak at tonight’s meeting during the public comment portion of the meeting. If you are unfamiliar with Board of Ed meetings, please know that each speaker has 3 minutes to speak. All speakers begin by saying their name and address. Board of Ed members do not respond to public comments. 
  • Email the Board of Ed and Superintendent Paul Vicinus voicing your concerns TODAY BY 7PM (boardmembers@whps.org, paul_vicinus@whps.org). If you have had a positive experience with Ms. Kiely, our Duffy school counselor, include it in your letter. If your child has been affected by Duffy’s large class sizes, include it in your letter.  A form letter that can be edited can be used here. 

 

Thank you for all the letters that have been sent to the district so far. Our concerns are on their radar, but we must keep pushing forward by continuing to send emails and by attending the tonight’s Board of Ed meeting.

 

If you have any questions/comments, please email duffyclasssizes@gmail.com