Federal Relief Helps Braintree Schools Retain Some Teachers

BRAINTREE, MA — Braintree schools will avoid having to eliminate some specialist teaching positions at the elementary school level, following the district securing $1.7 million in federal COVID-19 relief.

Prior to securing the relief money, the district was in a financial position that would require school officials to eliminate 30-40 employees —and most of them would be elementary school teachers. Mayor Charles Kokoros told the school committee Monday the money from the American Rescue Act will keep at least one specialist, such as for reading, in each of the elementary schools.

School officials previously considered redistricting the elementary schools to better distribute students, amid teacher cuts. Kokoros said the new federal funding took that plan off the table.

"It's positive news because we're moving in the right direction as far as not disrupting our students by redistricting them," Kokoros said.

But to avoid the rest of the cuts, more relief is needed. The relief brings the 2021-2022 school budget to $74.68, but Superintendent Frank Hackett said the district needs a budget of $76.66 million to avoid cuts to school staff and programs next year. Kokoros said he's doing everything he can to find more money for the school district.

"We're being conservative because we can only account for what we know we are going to get," Kokoros said.

Specifics on what positions and programs will need to be cut are expected to be discussed Thursday at a meeting with the school committee's finance and operations subcommittee. The mayor has until May 1 to submit a budget proposal to the Town Council, and he said he's obligated to present a balanced budget.