Middle School a Focus of School Budget Discussions
Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School
Tuesday night’s School Committee meeting continued the discussion of the 2024-2025 school year budget, focusing in particular on the needs of the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School (MVMMS).
MVMMS is the focus of discussion in part because it is where the largest increases in enrollment within the Melrose Public Schools (MPS) can be seen. Both the current 6th and 7th grades total over 300 students, resulting in class sizes of over 30 students in some cases. It is also where the biggest gaps in achievement between high- and low-performing students can be found.
The School Committee approved new programs of study for both Melrose High School (MHS) and MVMMS. Josh Murphy, the principal of MVMMS, presented a program of study aimed at reducing class sizes and providing each grade level at MVMMS with a unique experience tailored to their developmental needs. In 6th grade, the focus will be transitioning from elementary to middle school; in 7th, allowing students to explore a variety of electives, and in 8th grade, preparing students for high school with more choice and autonomy. Murphy explained that the new program of study is aimed at increasing time in core and world language classes while providing students who need additional services more opportunities to receive those services without always missing out on world language or elective classes.
However, Murphy expressed that this new program of study is dependent on the final budget adding at least 5 of the 15 requested new positions at the middle school level: additional world language teachers, music teachers, and an art teacher, to allow for increased time spent on those subjects.
The focus on the middle school carried over into discussion of student performance as well. The School Committee approved a draft of MPS’ plan in response to the Student Opportunity Act, which requires school districts to create plans that address the needs of their lowest-performing students (based on MCAS scores). Much of this plan centered on improvements at the middle school level, where district officials hope that interventions for the lowest-performing students can have the greatest impact. Dr. Jennifer Turner, the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, presented the plan, and emphasized that adding staff at the middle school level, including more Special Education teachers and a reading specialist, would be a key part of meeting the plan’s goals.
Concerns about MVMMS were also brought up frequently during the public comment portion of the meeting. Several parents and teachers expressed concerns about the “dire situation” at the “woefully understaffed and under-resourced middle school,” and requested that the School Committee prioritize MVMMS in their budget deliberations.
Members of the public and school committee members alike expressed that a budget override might be needed in the next few years to achieve a more comprehensive solution to Melrose’s school budget shortfalls, but for the time being, the School Committee and the Mayor’s office will need to work with the resources they have.
Discussion of the 2024-2025 school year budget will continue at School Committee meetings through the month of April, with possible reductions discussed once the Mayor’s office provides the total amount of funds the Superintendent’s office and School Committee will have to work with.
The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for April 9th at 7pm in the City Council Chamber at City Hall.
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