At the December 17 School Committee Meeting, there was a discussion of FY26 Student Support Services Budget Requests.
Subcommittee Updates
Alisa Skatrud & Mike O’Brien gave an update from the Future School Needs Committee Meeting with the School Demographer Dr. McKibben.
- McKibben Demographic Associates completed final enrollment projections for the fifteen-year period FY 2025/26 – 2039/40. Link to School enrollment FY26 Projections and in-depth analysis can be found on pages 89-109 of the packet.
- Base case projection predicts that enrollment will remain below the 2019 peak throughout the 15 year period
- Enrollment would increase somewhat in the likely & high MBTA building scenarios but this increase is dampened by lack of housing turnover and a drop in Needham residents ages 0 – 4.
- Needham has handled much larger population swings in the past (+900 students from 2000-10, +350 students from 2010-19) and feels comfortable with enrollment management
DISCUSSION ITEMS
FY26 Student Support Services Budget Requests – presented by Directors of the NPS Student Support Services (Special Education, ELL, Counseling, Health)
- Budget requests are driven by the need to ensure continuum of services for pre-K to 12, comply with English Language Education Requirements, ensure adequate counseling services, and ensure adequate health services.
- SPED enrollment increased from 17.2% (2018) to 18.7% (2024). This is still below the state rate.
- Needham has three Specialized SPED Programs:
- Intensive Learning Centers and Programs
- Connections and Pathways Therapeutic Programs
- Post Graduate Program
Budget Requests:
- Teacher of the Visually Impaired — 0.8FTE (Would like to hire own employee rather than contracting through Perkins)
- BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) — 0.5FTE (will help cover Eliot, Mitchell & Broadmeadow)
- SPED liaison Sunita Williams – 1.0 FTE
- Elevate NHS team chair to SPED coordinator
- Elevate an NHS Instructional Assistant (IA) to IA for the ILC
ELL currently has 154 students (increased since graphic was made). More students exited the ELL program last year due to a change in DESE exit requirements.
- ELL teacher Eliot – 0.2FTE (Eliot has the highest number of beginner level students)
- ELL teacher Preschool – 0.2FTE (preschool requires EL screening and consultation)
Counseling Dept requests for increased counselor support to help reduce caseloads throughout the district
- Health Services – Add 0.2 FTE Pollard nurse to ensure 5 full-day coverage for continuity of care and case management
School Committee asked many questions of the presenters and engaged in a detailed discussion. They expressed their appreciation for the complexity and importance of the work of all the departments.
ACTION ITEMS
- Needham School Committee approved the amended The Education Cooperative (TEC) Collaborative Agreement, effective July 1, 2025.
- Needham School Committee approved the Zero-emission vehicle policy
- Needham School Committee approved to rescind the following outdated/no longer applicable policies: ABB/GBB Staff Involvement in Decision-making ○ AD Educational Philosophy ○ BA School Committee Operational Goals ○ CCC Code of Ethics for Administrators ○ EBCFA Face Coverings ○ ECAA Access to Buildings
The next School Committee meeting will be January 7, 2025 at 6:30pm.