MAYOR ADVOCATES FOR PROPOSED SCHOOL INVESTMENTS IN EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES

The $56.56 proposed budget, a 6.9 percent increase over fiscal 2013's budget, also enhances enrichment and outreach programs at a time when other school districts are scaling back on those programs as cost-cutting measures. It emphasizes Somerville's commitment to educating the whole child, engaging the community in a students' education and ensuring that every student is exposed to the same rich curriculum. 

"This investment in our children's education is a declaration of Somerville's values: that all students get a robust and well-founded education, ensuring every student achieves his or her greatest potential and is equipped with the tools to compete in a 21^st century global economy," Mayor Curtatone said. "It all starts with education. Every aspect of the community, from our local economy to our crime rate, stems from how highly we value education. It's one of the pillars - the first pillar - of our comprehensive plans to continue making Somerville an exceptional place to live, work, play and raise family. The solid foundation is laid. Now we build." 

In what marks the start of a phased expansion of the popular SMILE preschool program to a universal pre-school program, the budget would add two additional SMILE classes. Earlier this month, the director of the National Education Policy Center urged investment in high-quality preschool education, which has been shown to narrow the achievement gap by as much as half.  

"Preschool should not be a luxury, but a fundamental right for every student," Mayor Curtatone said. "Adults who attended preschool programs as children have higher college attendance rates, higher employment and earnings, fewer arrests and less drug abuse." 

The budget also places a distinct emphasis on science with funding for middle grades and high school students to participate in hands-on science lab learning experiences, an initiative that would ensure that Somerville Public Schools students are not only learning about cutting-edge scientific research and technologies, but working with this technology as well. 

An already robust World Language program would expand Spanish instruction to the sixth grade. SPS expanded Spanish classes to 7^th and 8^th grade students this past year. The proposed addition of 6^th grade Spanish supports the District's commitment to providing students with the resources and skills to succeed in a global environment, and is another step in preparing Somerville students to compete in a 21^st century global economy. 

The budget proposal would also add an elementary music teacher, exposing children to string and percussion instruments at a younger age. The expansion of the middle school intramural programs for 7^th and 8^th graders would also continue, with those programs open to every student without a try-out requirement.  

"Music, arts and athletics are not something you just tack on as an afterthought, but are an essential part of a child's education," said Mayor Curtatone. "Data has shown that students involved in the arts and athletics have improved academic performance, higher standardized test scores, participate in more community service and have lower dropout rates." 

Somerville Public Schools are growing not only in science or co-curricular programs but in number of students. The proposed budget includes additional funding for a growing K-2 student population.  Recommended staffing increases of eight teachers and seven paraprofessionals would support the District's projected enrollment growth and expansion of the SMILE pre-K program. The District would also add a two-way bilingual coordinator, based on a consultant's recommendation, to support curriculum coordination in the District's popular UNIDOS dual-language program. 

"Somerville Public Schools are the first choice for an increasing number of families as we continue to build an environment that educates the whole child," Superintendent Pierantozzi said. "Often, the first programs on the chopping block in school districts looking to reduce costs are co-curricular or extra-curricular programs -- music, the arts, world languages and athletics. We're not cutting or merely maintaining our programs, but investing even more to ensure that every child in the Somerville Public Schools receives a comprehensive, well-rounded, high-quality education. We are fortunate to live in a community where our School Committee, Mayor, and Board of Aldermen recognize the value of investing in our youth, and understand that young people's paths to success often take alternate roads. By investing in academic as well as enrichment programs we increase the opportunities for our youth to reach their true potential." 

As Somerville Public Schools continues to invest in educational and innovative programs, it efficiently leverages the resources in and around the community, providing cost savings while still expanding opportunities for students. For example, the district has become a state-approved supplemental education services provider, allowing it to tutor more children with no budget increase, providing services that previously relied on Title I funding and outside vendors. Tufts University master's degree candidates, who are also certified teachers, teach in Somerville classrooms with their stipend partially paid for by the university, bringing with them the latest in education research. 

Additional partnership efforts between the Somerville Public Schools and other departments, which support student success by leveraging resources, include collaborative work on a Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant for Birth-Grade 3 alignment across the City, and joint Data Study teams and initiatives.  Partnerships with the Somerville Recreation Department offer before-school opportunities and outreach coordinators who meet with at-risk students and families, drawing students into recreation programs and providing mentorship. Collaborative outreach and programs with the Somerville Public Library ensure students have the opportunity to use resources, engage in targeted Library activities, and take advantage of additional support during non-school hours. 

Outreach to students goes beyond the classroom in Somerville. Through a Federal grant, Somerville Public Schools will continue to offer a free summer breakfast and lunch program at city parks and other locations throughout the City, available to any youth under the age of 18.  The 2013 Summer Meals program schedule and sites are available at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/summermeals.  

"This is truly an exciting time for Somerville, the Somerville Public Schools, and especially for young people in our community," stated School Committee Chair, Mary Jo Rossetti.  "We live in a wonderfully diverse and dynamic community that is truly invested in the success of our youth.  As we continue to move forward in providing our youth with the foundational skills to help them lead happy and successful lives, it falls incumbent upon us as educators, community leaders, elected officials, parents, and interested community members, to provide our youth with the resources and learning opportunities that will help them become masters of their futures.  I am excited about the level of energy and forward-thinking approach that has gone into the development of this budget recommendation.  This process is a long-term, community-wide collaborative effort. We hope you will join us at the Budget Hearing on Tuesday as we prepare to discuss, gather more input, and later come to an agreement on the final budget proposal that will be presented to the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen."   

The Superintendent's recommended budget will be presented at a public hearing on Tuesday, May 28, at 7 p.m. in the Somerville High School Library. The School Committee will later vote on whether to approve the budget as presented, or request changes to the budget before submitting it to the Mayor and the Somerville Board of Aldermen for approval.