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Teachers and nurses warn proposed cuts would reduce nursing, reading and specialized services for vulnerable students
Summary
Multiple staff and parents told the Methuen School Committee that proposed FY26 eliminations of LPN nursing support, reading specialists and Choices-program staff risk compliance with students' IEPs and would increase the likelihood of costly out-of-district placements.
Several Methuen educators and parents told the School Committee April 16 that the district's most vulnerable students would be harmed if proposed FY26 cuts proceed as written.
Speakers described potential eliminations or reductions affecting: an LPN assigned to the Junctions medically fragile program, Marsh Grammar School's reading specialist position, Choices program staff and school medical-assistant roles. They said reductions would increase health and legal risks and could force out-of-district placements.
Nut graf: Staff argued that some positions flagged for reduction are essential to delivering legally required health and special-education services; they called on the committee to prioritize preserving staff who ensure student safety and compliance with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
What staff and parents said - Allison Sullivan, a Junctions teacher, said the LPN assigned to the medically fragile Junctions program performs daily complex medical tasks (g-tube feeds, suctioning, oxygen monitoring and seizure response) that unlicensed staff cannot legally perform. She said eliminating the LPN would "jeopardize the safety, health, and effectiveness of the entire program." - Marsh reading specialist Melissa Kilbasa described intensive, small-group Tier 2 phonics instruction she provides to up to 50 students over the course of the year. She said the role prevents unnecessary special-education referrals and supports students whose reading lags behind peers. - Multiple nurses and medical assistants (written comments and speakers) warned that reducing MA and nurse staffing would put nursing licenses and student safety at risk and increase reliance on costly outside contractors. - The Choices team and multiple teachers said removing Choices staff would likely raise the district's exposure to out-of-district placements and legal noncompliance; they cited typical out-of-district cost levels in testimony and warned about service continuity.
District response and context District leaders said they are trying to balance a city-provided FY26 target with contractual increases, transportation costs and special-education obligations. Administrators said some service models could be adjusted, but acknowledged trade-offs and warned that preserving every current position in the face of the current city number would require other, deeper cuts.
Ending: Speakers urged the committee to prioritize students with medically complex needs, students with limited reading skills and those in specialized programs during upcoming budget decisions and to seek alternatives to staff reductions that would disrupt student services.
