During a recent government meeting, significant discussions centered around school capacity, budget planning, and advocacy for increased funding.
Miss Perez raised concerns regarding Harding School, which is reportedly over capacity by 400 students. She requested a detailed breakdown of enrollment numbers versus capacity for all schools, emphasizing the urgency of understanding these figures to ensure adequate space for students. The committee acknowledged the need for this information and agreed to work on it.
Additionally, a proposal was made to create a joint bid for convocation and graduation events to save costs, alongside a request for a detailed report on previous expenditures for these events. The aim is to establish a competitive price for future bids, potentially reallocating savings to benefit students.
The meeting also highlighted a looming potential deficit of $40 million, prompting calls for early public planning and advocacy strategies to secure additional funding from state and local sources. A community group is already mobilizing efforts to advocate for increased financial support, with a march planned to raise awareness.
Furthermore, an update on the facilities master plan was requested to ensure ongoing communication about progress rather than waiting for a comprehensive report.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to address various referrals and concerns, including bus safety plans and the status of the school closing plan on the website, which will be clarified in future discussions. The board aims to enhance collaboration and transparency as they navigate these pressing issues.