Councillor explains vote to hold School Department Budget ‘for additional clarity’
On Thursday, to fulfill my obligation to oversee and approve expenditures of the city, I voted to keep in committee for further discussion the $151 million Cambridge School Department Budget. This budget comprises nearly one-third of the city’s entire FY14 budget of $ 507 million.
Just as a teacher uses lesson planning to ensure subject objectives are covered, I feel the expenses within this budget should link to objective measures that produce a stellar and successful school district.
Specifically, I voted to keep the school budget in committee for further discussion because I would like to know how expenses relating to charter school tuition, out-of-district tuition and the high school extension program can be better controlled.
I would also like additional clarity regarding whether this budget supports the use of e-textbooks and world language instruction in the lower grades. These are key 21st century economy skills and technologies that prepare our children. The present budget does not seem to pursue these programs in a timely manner.
I am also mindful of the city’s commitment to the construction of three schools and I want to ensure that we do not exceed future debt obligations.
There are an estimated 8,100 school-age children in Cambridge, and yet only 6,400 are taking advantage of our public schools. The reasons nearly 20 percent of school-age children choose not to participate in our very well financed public school district should be vigorously studied. Bringing more Cambridge families into the public school district will improve experience for all.
The City Council date for adopting the entire city’s FY14 budget is May 20. There is a Finance Committee meeting scheduled for morning of May 16, and presumably this will serve as time for further discussion.
I am confident we can come to a clear understanding of the concerns raised by myself and my colleagues on the City Council in time to pass a Cambridge School Budget that works for all students, teachers, parents, administrators and residents of our city.
Minka vanBeuzekom, city councillor
Hey Minka!
Why didn’t you voice these concerns prior to the budget being presented? Im not sure if its policy or just the way this council operates but it seems like you guys are always just figuring yourselves out at the decision table instead of getting in there beforehand to get the answers you seek. On the face of things it makes everyone look lazy, though I’m certain that can’t be whats going on.
If you guys can only vote a budget up or down wouldn’t it have made sense to voice these concerns prior. What will change between now and the 20th?
I know this council loves…no…craves studies, and I wouldn’t deny ya’ll this luxury, but what does that have to do with the budget of ’14?
I can only speak for myself but I am reticent to send my child through the Cambridge Public system for a number of reasons. So I can only guess that many other parents are concerned as well, about 20% at least. We have any stats on other towns with similar demographics? I’d wager that most affluent cities have a decent percentage that prefer the private sector for their education. I could put that in a nice glossy binder with some terrific graphics if that will sate the council. I won’t even charge for the copy fee at staples.
This is the way it works in over 300 other Massachusetts Cities and Towns:
1) School Committee votes a budget after many, many meetings. The budget may or may not be what the City Manager’s guidelines call for.
2) The School Budget is presented and reviewed by a Budget Subcommittee of the Legislative Body over multiple meetings. Questions are asked, questions are answered. The Subcommittee “recommends” a bottom line number to the full legislative body.
3) The legislative body approves/reduces/rejects the budget.
As near as I can tell, we’re at Step 2 and the process is working exactly as it’s supposed to. Step 2 is the appropriate time to “voice concerns” . The “decision table” is where Step 3 sits.
In fact, in some municipalities, Step 3 is the first time many in the Legislative Body have even seen the School Budget. Questions get asked again. Sure, it’s hard work when it’s the 20th time you’ve answered the question since the budget process began. But complaining about the question is much less effective than answering it.
The DOE (http://www.doe.mass.edu/) is an excellent source of school-related statistics. As far as “affluence” goes, I’ve found that it is not necessarily an indicator of private school preference. In FY12, Weston had close to 90% of its kids attending public school. In Cambridge, as near as I can tell was around 50%.
What is true, though, is that the affluent have a choice.
Is weston really the best example though? Its ranked #1 among public schools in ma. The median house is around 1.2mil (though I couldn’t find a decent one under 2mil), and its 90% white. their version of public school sounds like my version of private. In fact their demo is nearly identical to BN&N. Where do you get the 50% number from? Any idea where these 50%-ers are sending their kids and why? I’ve looked into BB&N (obviously) and its a steep entry fee, but not off the mark of what me and my wife will be shelling out for day care in about four months.
I realize we’re in an election year but making little jabs at your opponents isn’t necessary here, save it for the incumbents, and you’re better than that.
I appreciate the clearing up of the process, however this begs the question, “what are the councilors doing in the interim?” Please tell me if you get there, because it looks like the sweetest gig this side of the middle east.
Tom,
Please stop saying that people are complaining about answering questions. You have said that over and over on every listserve you can find. That is not the problem. Asking, answering and discussing questions and concerns is a healthy part of the process. Let me say that again, “Asking, answering and discussing questions and concerns is a healthy part of the process.”
Marc,
Patrick was complaining about the timing of Minka’s concerns and questions. I was telling him about my own experience as a member of a School Committee and how hard it is to answer the same questions over and over again. It sounds from your comment that we’re on the same page regarding the importance of public debate.
Patrick,
I was taking a jab at you (and I know you can give as good as you can take). You said “I’d wager that most affluent cities have a decent percentage that prefer the private sector for their education.” I looked at the population of school-aged children in the most recent census and looked up the enrollment statistics for that year at the MA Dept. of Education website.
The other Cambridge kids are going to private schools and they’re a few home-schooling. It’s old information, but I helped with a study of the low enrollment problem in Cambridge Public Schools back in 2001. We noticed an odd pull-out at around the third level and an equally odd put-back when the cohort got to high school. On the face of it, it looked like some parent thought their kids would do better if they spent their middle school years in other schools. I think the “innovation agenda” is intended to address that problem.
There are private schools like BB&N, Shady Hill, the Cambridge School in Weston, but there are also several private Catholic schools which are highly regarded and much less expensive. In my experience (at the High school level) I attended a private Catholic School in DC, my daughter attended a private school north of Boston, and my sons attended CRLS. All of these schools had diversity. All of them had some truly excellent academic and extracurricular opportunities.
I’ve always thought I was a gentleman in my back-and-forths. I forget how sensitive you liberals can be. Thank you for the information its been illuminating. I sent you an email that in light of this info will seem dated. I’m not sure about that diversity comment though, the demo at BB&N from 2012 suggests the opposite, however the other schools may be doing a “better” job.