The town of Reading and the halls of RMHS have been buzzing recently with the news of new budget cuts on the horizon for the upcoming 2018 school year. These proposed cuts have been presented to both middle schools and the high school, as they will be hitting our old stomping grounds and our very own RMHS in a similarly hard way.
Last year’s override bill’s failure to pass now means that the town of Reading has $1.4 million dollars of money that must be cut in order to pay off these debts. Despite cutting the budget for the past four years, more cuts are unfortunately necessary this upcoming school year as well. The 2018 projected budget differs from years past in its effect on classrooms themselves, a measure that Dr. Doherty has “purposely tried to stay away from.” Doherty also wanted to stay away from the middle school because their team structure does not allow for cutting one teacher’s position. Therefore, cuts needed to be made in classes themselves; the double block of ELA will be reduced to one block, while seventh grade foreign language will be cut completely, and eighth grade foreign language will become an elective reserved for around 200 students deemed eligible.
Major cuts in the foreign language departments have been hotly disputed by teachers, students, and parents alike. Many are asking the question: why foreign language? Dr. Doherty explained that “Unfortunately [he] could not cut math or science because those subjects get assessed by the state.” However, he continued, saying that “[He] does not recommend any of these cuts. Although it is [his] recommended budget, [he] [does] not advocate for these; we are just in a very unfortunate situation.”
One of the many fears that those rejecting the foreign language cuts is that the AP foreign language classes will eventually be cut. Many are skeptical because the overall foreign language enrollment will be far lower than in years past. Contrary to this popular belief, Dr. Doherty believes that the AP foreign language classes will not be affected by the middle school foreign language cuts. Dr. Doherty explained “I know there is some disagreement here, but I do not think the AP courses will be affected by this cut; the kids who I think will be taking foreign language in eighth grade are the same kids who will be taking AP foreign language in grade 12.”
Regardless, concern for the future is shared by Doherty and Reading residents alike. The revenue that the town of Reading receives will remain consistent next year, and in years to come. Therefore, cuts like these that Dr. Doherty has recommended for the 2018 school year will persist in years to come as well. “Unless there is either an override or some other way to get more revenue, we’re going to be facing similar issues down the road,” Doherty elaborated.
Given this need for a change, there has been hope for another attempt at an override decided upon by the Board of Selectmen this upcoming April. The debate continues between many of the empty-nesters who will not support taxes on amenities they no longer need and parents’ whose children cannot afford to fall behind.