Blackstone‑Millville principals outline FY22 elementary priorities; custodial, STEM and math interventions among requests

Blackstone‑Millville Regional School District officials reviewed preliminary FY22 elementary budget priorities at a Jan. 20, 2021 workshop, focusing on curriculum materials, targeted instructional positions and building‑operations staffing.

Elementary principals presented a teacher‑driven materials list that prioritizes library replacements and classroom instructional items such as individual whiteboards and device access. "The biggest item on that list is the Envisions books, $11,000," one principal said, noting the district is in the second year of a two‑year curriculum‑review cycle and may need a one‑year extension of the Envisions math materials.

The principals asked the school committee to consider several staffing additions: a STEM teacher at each elementary campus to ensure consistent technology and hands‑on science experiences; a math interventionist to offer short, targeted group support (four–six weeks) to address pandemic‑related learning gaps; and an additional early‑childhood coach to narrow coaching spans and focus on pre‑K–2 practices. Administrators also proposed adding 0.5 full‑time custodian per building to restore previous coverage levels and reduce substitute calls.

Administrators said class sizes currently average about 21–24 students and described an enrollment-driven move of one teacher from grade 5 to grade 4 to balance a larger grade‑4 cohort (cited as 126 students). The district is also gauging parent interest in expanding to full‑day pre‑K; responses to the district preschool lottery survey were expected by late February or early March.

Assistant administrators asked whether Envisions workbooks were being used rather than sitting unused; principals responded that teachers are using the Envisions curriculum with fidelity this year, combining online and paper workbook options so students and remote learners can both participate.

Todd Schaefer, the district's director of instrumental music, told the committee there were no new materials or stipend increases requested for music this year because of uncertainty created by the pandemic. He highlighted strong participation in winter music activities and noted that virtual competitions — which accept submitted videos — have opened national and international opportunities for ensembles. Schaefer estimated fall marching‑band numbers are uncertain (60 in the most recent fall, a hoped‑for 75 for next year, and 82 projected pre‑COVID), and the committee was told changes in marching‑band size would likely affect user fees more than baseline budget lines.

Committee members discussed process and timing: members preferred a later, districtwide prioritization session to compare cost‑center requests before deciding tradeoffs and agreed to set aside time during the Jan. 26 workshop so the committee can finalize priorities before town meetings on Jan. 27. No formal votes on budget items were taken at the Jan. 20 session.

The workshop closed with a motion to adjourn; the committee planned to continue budget reviews at the next scheduled workshop.