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Parents urge board to preserve grade split and expand programs
Summary
Public commenters praised the district’s transparency, supported the proposed budget and urged the board to preserve existing grade configurations for developmental continuity while expanding enrichment programs rather than making staffing cuts.
At the start of the workshop the board opened a public comment period in which multiple parents spoke in favor of supporting the budget and protecting school structures and programs.
Lisa Yanchi, who identified herself as living on Partridge Lane, thanked the board for transparency and for superintendent outreach and urged the board to maintain the current grade breakdown (preK–2, 3–5, 6–8) as the district moves forward with a middle‑school infrastructure project. “That breakdown ... allows the kids to grow according to the age development that’s needed,” she said.
Former board member Chad Hepner asked the board to view the budget as an opportunity to expand curricular and enrichment offerings — more robotics, science and arts — rather than default to cuts. He urged a focus on curriculum questions (materials, technology use) and asked administrators how community expertise could be leveraged.
Aaron Burakoff, a parent who said he lives on Northfield Woods Road, supported investing in staffing and asked the board to back the BOE budget request to avoid a repeat of last year’s spring layoffs.
Ending: Public speakers emphasized preserving staffing and programs; the board proceeded into its budget workshop.
