The Boston School Committee has swallowed a bitter pill by passing a steeply-cutting $1.5 billion budget for the upcoming 2025 fiscal year. Amidst community outcry and tight votes, the budget is set to axe jobs and squeeze school resources dry, reported by The Boston Globe. The federal funds well has run dry, and student numbers are dwindling, forcing tough decisions. The city tried to stop the bleeding with an $81 million Band-Aid but to little avail.
The federal cash flow, credited to COVID relief efforts, brought in roughly $400 million over four years, but those days are over, according to Boston 25 News. Enrollment has plunged by 15% in a decade, slashing funding linked to student headcounts. These cuts go deep, slashing into the arts and even essential library services. Music and arts programs are expected to take a hit, leaving a more barren educational landscape.
Superintendent Mary Skipper leveled with the committee before the vote, describing the creation of this budget as "one of the most difficult in a decade." Nevertheless, Skipper stands firm on directing 94% of the budget to student services, vowing to prioritize what's best for the pupils.
Parents across the district have fought tooth and nail against the cutbacks. "Haven't our children already suffered enough? ... Shouldn't we be investing in our children's future by adding more programs and more teachers?" asked frustrated parent Cheryl Buckman during the meeting. Her plea underscored in a statement obtained by The Boston Globe. Meanwhile, expenses like busing and food services continue to climb, saddling the budget with an extra $16 million in costs.
In the midst of financial strife, there's a glimmer of progress; Boston School Committee is mulling over naming a school after civil rights icon Ruth Batson—a trailblazer in education reform and racial equality. A decision on this tribute is expected to come by April 10. It’s a small token to keeping alive the legacy of those who fought tirelessly for educational equity, a fight clearly far from over in Boston's halls of learning.
