Worcester schools budget proposal: $586 million, no layoffs planned, uncertainty remains
The district announced earlier this month that the proposed budget would be within striking distance of $600 million and the budget is undergoing a series of public hearings before it will ultimately be voted on by the School Committee.
Unlike last year, which saw the district cut nearly 200 positions due to budget shortfalls, no layoffs are anticipated under the current proposed budget. However, in a press release the district has noted that a few outstanding items remain beyond the city's control, such as actions by the federal government, which controls 9% of the district's proposed budget, and state funding.
More: Impact of school budget cuts: 86 classroom teachers, 70 support staff, 22 administrators
"No layoffs are planned due to the budget next year. However, Worcester Public Schools continues to monitor actions by the federal government, which provides 9% of the district budget. Additionally, the state Legislature may make adjustments to the final amount that Worcester Public Schools receives," the district stated.
From the proposed budget, $142 million will come from the city, while $381 million comes from the state, with the remaining funding coming from federal grants and other minor revenue sources.
Superintendent Rachel Monárrez stated that the district is proud to be past the difficult cutting process and that resources can be used to help the highest-need students in the district.
"I am grateful we can begin to move our resource allocation in the right direction to support our scholars, especially our highest-need students, even if we are doing so incrementally,' Monárrez said. 'While factors such as inflation reimbursement and health benefits pose a challenge, we are building upon a strong foundation to ensure funding is used in the most effective manner possible, now and in the future.'
The proposed budget would be the first in which the district uses what it calls its equity-based budgeting practice, a formula developed by Monárrez and Deputy Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer Brian Allen that is intended to better allocate resources to schools and students that have been historically underserved.
Allen, who will take over as superintendent in July, said the budget has been constructed with the intent of putting educators at the forefront.
"This budget prioritizes classroom investments including common planning time and textbook and technology purchases, despite ongoing challenges," Allen stated. "Through it all, we are putting educator voice at the forefront and ensuring our budget is rooted in the district's 'Vision of a Learner' and strategic plan priorities."
Part of the budget will add eight additional climate and culture coordinators in Worcester secondary schools, new positions that were created last year to help improve student behavior and encourage better outcomes for students struggling in school.
More: Climate and culture team aims for reform at Worcester East Middle School
Other aspects of the budget include funding to replace approximately 6,000 Chromebooks, which are given out to students across the district, the use of "late" buses at all middle and high schools to help transport students who have after-school activities, and to maintain current staffing ratios of 21 students per teacher across the district.
The School Committee held public meetings on the budget May 19 and 27, and will hold additional meetings on June 5 and 18.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Public Schools proposed budget set at $586 million
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33 minutes ago
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Texas redistricting war escalates across the country
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The rapidly escalating tit for tat underscores how the redistricting battle has turned into an all-out national brawl ahead of what both parties expect to be a fiercely fought midterm election. 'Let's be clear, this is not just rigging the system in Texas,' Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) told reporters on Sunday, flanked by Texas Democrats. 'It's about rigging the system against the rights of all Americans for years to come.' The Texas Democrats' decision to break quorum — or the minimum number of lawmakers needed in order to conduct business in the Legislature — came as Republicans look to advance an even friendlier GOP congressional map that could net them five additional seats ahead of next year. The redistricting move was encouraged by President Trump as Republicans brace for an unfavorable political environment next year — and the possibility of Democratic investigations into his administration if the party loses the House. Democrats have portrayed the redistricting effort as a naked power grab by Republicans. The current map, authored by a Republican-dominated statehouse in 2021, gives Republicans 65 percent of the state congressional seats — a sizable advantage over the 55 percent of the state electorate who votes for the party. But if Trump gets the five additional seats he wants, that advantage would expand to 80 percent of the state's congressional House caucus — a 25 percent advantage secured with no additional need for persuasion. A Texas House panel advanced the House map last week, teeing it up for a floor vote. With Democrats out of the state, however, the efforts to pass the new map are temporarily stalled. In addition to the threats of arrest, Abbott also said he would strip lawmakers who failed to return to the state Capitol of their seats. Texas lawmakers already incur a daily $500 fine and threat of arrest for breaking quorum, and Abbott previously threatened them with bribery charges if national Democrats pick up the tab. 'Texans don't run from a fight — they face it head on,' Abbott wrote on the social platform X. 'These Texas Democrats that fled the state are not serving Texans. They are serving themselves. They forfeited their seats and are facing potential felony charges.' Speaking to reporters in Illinois on Sunday, Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu said they didn't make the decision lightly to leave the state, but he added that this was 'absolutely the right thing to do to protect the people of the state of Texas.' Democratic leaders from across the country were quick to join in the fight. California Gov. 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Yahoo
33 minutes ago
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5 things to know on Texas's political showdown
Texas Democrats fled the state Sunday to deny the GOP a legislative quorum as part of an effort to prevent Republicans from redrawing the Lone Star State's congressional maps. The move deprives the Texas state Legislature of the numbers it needs to function, stalling progress on the maps — but comes with big risks for the state Democrats, including steep fines and the threat of arrest. Sign up for the latest from The Hill here It adds another layer to the battle that's been brewing in Texas, though it's unclear just how much this could impact the GOP plans. Separately, talk of redistricting is building in other states as both parties ready for next year's high-stakes midterms. Here are five things to know. Texas Democrats are trying to slow GOP redistricting push With the GOP firmly in control of both houses of Texas's state Legislature, Democrats didn't have many avenues available to stop Republicans from plowing forward with their plan, which could give Republicans another five House seats. Without enough power in the House to vote down the proposed changes — which advanced out of committee over the weekend and was expected to receive a floor vote this week — Democrats' best move was leaving the state to prevent the state House from being able to conduct any business. The 150-member state House needs at least two-thirds of its members present for a quorum, and just enough Democrats left the state to deny it. They split up their destinations among solidly Democratic states — Illinois, New York and Massachusetts. 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Unless Republicans change course, Democrats' return would likely mean the line changes sail through. The state lawmakers who have fled could run out the clock on the current 30-day special session, which kicked off July 21. But Abbott has the authority to call an unlimited number of additional special sessions, including back-to-back blocks. In theory, Democrats could try to stay out of the state until November, when the filing period for 2026 primary candidates opens in Texas, in an effort to stall the maps from taking effect before the midterms. But Democrats' absence also stalls other business that this summer's special session was slated to address, including votes on aid after last month's catastrophic flooding – a point Republicans have hammered home. Other states are also getting into the fight The Texas GOP plan to redistrict set off a domino effect across the country, prompting Democrats and Republicans alike to consider middecade redraws of their own lines in states where they have control. Republicans are looking to protect the party's narrow 219-212 U.S. House majority in next year's midterms, while Democrats want to offset GOP gains and flip the chamber. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has been at the forefront of conversations around the Lone Star State's redistricting, threatening to redraw lines in his big blue state if Texas moves forward. Newsom, whose state has led resistance efforts to Trump and the GOP, was set to hold a press conference Monday. Democrats in New York have also floated their own efforts to redistrict, though the changes wouldn't be likely to take effect for another few election cycles. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), meeting Monday with some of the Texas lawmakers who fled to her state, said she was weighing her options. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D), who has said his state will protect the Texas Democrats who fled to it, has also left the door open to redistricting. The redistricting tensions have offered blue state governors an opportunity for leadership at a fraught moment for the party and given some cause for hope that Democrats could counteract any GOP gains. But some red states — like Florida, where Republicans are pushing to redraw — could also get in on the action and bolster their party's edge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: HOA fine cap a step in the right direction, but there's still work to be done
To the editor: As a homeowner member of an HOA, I am pleased with the enactment of Assembly Bill 130 limiting the fines charged to homeowners to a cap of $100 ('She faced $500 daily HOA fines for an unapproved door. A new state law saved her,' Aug. 1). However, what the article does not tell you is that the Davis-Stirling Act is not enforced by any state government agency. Since the law consists of civil codes, it is only enforceable through these actions: If a HOA board of directors violates any of the sections, homeowners can recall the board, request a resolution through internal dispute resolution or alternative dispute resolution using a third-party mediator or file a case in civil court against the board. All are time-consuming, costly and may not resolve the complaint. If Jinah Kim's HOA continues to fine her as noted, they could place a lien on her property for non-payment. She might then need an attorney to seek relief from the court, which would cost her time and money. The Davis-Stirling Act was written by attorneys for attorneys. The Legislature needs to designate an agency to enforce this act and relieve homeowners from having to take legal action on their own. Frank Deni, Lake Forest
