| CNS Informational Event on 2/26 |
On February 26th, CNS will host an informational event on Superintendent Gutekanst's Innovation and Extended Learning proposal. Dr. Gutekanst will speak about the proposed initiatives and will be joined by four Needham educators who will offer their perspectives on this important proposal:
- Mitchell Principal Mike Schwinden
- Director of World Languages Deb Watters
- Instructional Technology Specialist Kathy Martell
- School Committee Chair Joe Barnes
Please join us! The event will take place in the Broadmeadow Performance Center (120 Broad Meadow Road) at 7:00 pm.
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Innovation and Extended Learning
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As part of his budget request, Superintendent Gutekanst asked for additional monies to support the "Innovation and Extended Learning" proposal. This proposal addresses needs identified during reviews of Needham's curriculum, benchmarking with local communities, and parent surveys. The proposal calls for:
- Spanish starting in 1st grade
- New elementary programming in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM)
- More time for teachers to work together and collaborate
- 75 hours of additional class time in elementary school (25 minutes/day)
- 30 additional hours for middle school students (10 minutes/day), bringing Needham's middle school instructional hours up to the MA state minimum
- Expanded programs in the arts, technology and club sports at Needham
High School
More information about this proposal is available on the NPS website, and community members are invited to learn more and ask questions at the CNS event on February 26th.
The cost of this proposal is $1.8 million, and the School Committee is working with the Town's Finance Committee and Town Manager to determine how much of this amount might need to be funded through an operational override this Spring.
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| Operating Budget Request |
At its January 28th meeting, the School Committee voted on an operating budget request for FY2015 of $56.58 million, representing a 4.8% increase over this year. This amount is $263,000 lower than the Superintendent's original request from December.
The budget is not final, however, until voted upon by Town Meeting in May.
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Election Day is April 8th - Register to Vote!
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Needham's town election will be held on April 8th this year. The last day to register to vote is March 19th. For information on how to register, click here.
Stay tuned for more information about the issues and races that will come before the voters this year.
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Run for Town Meeting
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Nomination papers are now available for anyone interested in running for Town Meeting. Town Meeting Members are elected by voters in their precincts in the April 8th town election. Town Meeting Members serve for three years and represent their precincts by voting at the Annual and Special Town Meetings.
Town Meeting usually meets no more than seven evenings per year. Town Meeting Members play a crucial role in town government because most decisions, including all spending decisions, must be approved by Town Meeting. Parents of school-aged children who serve as Town Meeting Members can ensure the schools' needs and concerns are voiced at Town Meeting; they will also gain a greater understanding of the entire town budget.
If you would like to run for Town Meeting, you must pick up nomination papers in the Town Clerk's office at Town Hall and get 10 signatures of support from registered voters in your precinct. Nomination papers with signatures must be returned to the Town Clerk by February 18th.
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