Schools say proposed cuts would primarily affect classroom staff; ballpark counts provided
Summary
Reading school representatives said personnel are the largest share of the school budget and gave illustrative reduction figures — about 15 educator positions, about 20 paraprofessionals and roughly seven administrator equivalents — that could be required if the override fails.
School officials told residents that staffing accounts for roughly 80% of the district’s budget and that, although the process for specific cuts is data-driven and goes through the district leadership team and school committee, personnel would represent the largest share of any reductions.
"We're saying about it'll be about 15 educators, about 20 paraprofessionals, and about 7, administrator equivalents," Henry (a school official) said when summarizing the district’s current planning baseline. He added that the figures could be higher because the town used a conservative average-salary baseline in its projections and because contractual arrangements affect severance and placement decisions.
Henry described the district’s values-driven approach: proposals are developed by principals, assistant superintendents, the finance director and other district leaders, then presented to the school committee for multiple meetings and a formal vote. He and other panelists said the district will try to minimize disruption to programs that have demonstrated gains in student achievement.
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