SO, WRSD total student enrollment has dropped by 12.5% over the past 15 Fiscal Years whereas the total WRSD budget has increased 50% over the past 10 Fiscal Years. The WRSD Committee and successive Superintendents have refused to implement ANY Reductions In Force (RIFs), as authorized by Mass.Gen.Laws Ch. 71, Section 42, corresponding with the drop-off in total student enrollment. In fairness to District property taxpayers 12.5% of WRSD employees should be cut. If you aren’t already enraged, it gets even worse– the WRSD proposes, as of right now, A TOTAL BUDGET INCREASE FOR NEXT FISCAL OF 6.18%, FROM $121,979,287 THIS YEAR TO $129,515,225 NEXT FISCAL YEAR. IN ADDITION, THE WRSD PROPOSES TO HIRE 17 NEW TEACHERS. AT THIS YEAR’S STERLING ANNUAL TOWN MEETING VOTE TO SHOOT DOWN THE WRSD’s REQUEST TO STERLING FOR THE ENTIRE AMOUNT ABOVE STERLING’S STATE-REQUIRED NET MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION TO THE WRSD.
Here is entire, current WRSD payroll roster. Read it and gag–
J.G.
STERLING, MASSACHUSETTS, OVERWATCH 