FY22 Section I - Budget Highlights
Introduction
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Public Schools of Brookline (PSB) over the course of FY2021 was significant. The district faced unprecedented challenges that required:
• Creation of the Remote Learning Academy, a brand-new, fully online school for over 600 PSB students in grades K-8
• Technology to enable remote access for all students while we operated in a remote and hybrid model
• Reduction in class size to meet distancing requirements for students attending in-person classes
• Enhanced air ventilation systems in all schools to provide increased and improved air flow
• Enhanced Personal Protective Equipment
• Furniture that allowed students and educators to use the classrooms
• Many other improvements and enhancements to keep students and staff safe
The collective one-time cost of these needs currently exceeds $6,887,545. This extraordinary expense was only partially met by Federal and other relief funds totaling $5,515,459, leading to a COVID-specific shortfall of $1,372,086. To address this gap, there is a $1,300,000 Reserve Fund Transfer request being made to the Town to balance the budget by fiscal year end. In the end, we will have met the extraordinary financial, programmatic, and logistical challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic through collaborative work with the Town/School Partnership, the skilled guidance of Expert Advisory Panels made up of incredible volunteer community members, and the tireless dedication of PSB staff.
As the impact of the pandemic changed over the course of the school year, the school district remained flexible and adaptable. In response to revised guidance from federal, state and local health authorities, our staff responded accordingly. For example, school and student schedules were revised often and learning models (hybrid instruction, remote instruction) were updated as conditions warranted. In the face of this uncertainty, PSB educators remained resilient. In order to keep the needs of students first, school administrators responded to questions and concerns as they arose, families worked to support their children, and students adapted to the new technology. All of us became accustomed to using Zoom to meet, learn, and teach. Through all of this uncertainty and upheaval, everyone - school, town, and community members - worked together to address the daunting issues related to the pandemic in order to provide students with the most consistent education possible under the circumstances.
As we plan for the 2021-2022 school year, and the return to more regular “new normal” scheduling and programming, we do so with a continued commitment to support the PSB mission to ensure that every student develops the skills and knowledge to pursue a productive and fulfilling life, to participate thoughtfully in a democracy, and succeed in a diverse and evolving global society. Our primary focus remains high-quality teaching and learning for all students and especially for students in groups we know are disproportionately impacted by opportunity and outcome gaps - including race, income, disability, and language status. In addition, we are focused on addressing any COVID-specific gaps, not only in academics but in socioemotional support and learning. This budget accordingly prioritizes the staffing, program, and materials needed to ensure educators have the resources needed to support the individual needs of all students.
The development of the FY22 budget involved the input of district leaders, principals, curriculum and program coordinators, and department heads. All areas of the budget were reviewed through the lens of School Committee guidelines, school needs, efficiencies, and impacts related to the pandemic. Through this collaborative process, the FY22 budget:
- Ensures that schools are well resourced with supplies and materials;
- Enhances social emotional support for students;
- Includes staffing levels to meet historical patterns and projected student enrollment; and
- Restores central office positions that had been intentionally paused for the current year only, to return the infrastructure needed to support teachers and programs
At the April 29, 2021 School Committee meeting, the Committee voted to approve an Annual Town Meeting budget request of $120,197,717, allocated between the Public Building Division ($471,380) and the Public Schools of Brookline ($119,726,337). This dollar amount does not exceed the Town Revenue allocation as of March 25, 2021.
In addition, the School Committee voted to approve a FY22 PSB Budget of $127,695,265 funded by the Town Meeting Appropriation, Circuit Breaker Reimbursement, Materials/Tuition Fees, and Federal ESSER II and ESSER III funds. The School Committee is keenly aware that it is using one-time funds to balance the FY22 budget, and that this is unsustainable. To close the gap between revenues and expenses in the future, either programmatic adjustments must be made or recurring revenues identified. Town/School Partnership is still awaiting federal guidance on how the American Rescue Plan funds may also be available to assist with filling the revenue gap in future years.
Changes from FY21 Budget
Outlined below are adjustments made to the FY22 program. Additional budget information is available in Sections II - V of this document. Specific department details can be found on the Public Schools of Brookline’s Budget Central website (www.brookline.k12.ma.us/budgetcentral).
Personnel Budget Changes
Expense (Non-personnel) Budget Changes
This budget overview is organized into four sections designed to explain in detail the major forces affecting the FY2022 budget and provide a high-level summary of the budget focusing on major revenue and expenditure categories.
Section II – Personnel Overview
Section III – Summary of Expenses