Natick To Discuss Cuts Including School Closure, Ending Programs

NATICK, MA — The Natick School Committee on Tuesday is set to discuss a raft of serious budget cuts, including closing an elementary school, district wide furloughs, and cutting after school clubs and activities.

The cuts are in response to the coronavirus crisis, which is hurting local and state revenue. The Natick Board of Selectmen is in the process of deciding what to do about the upcoming fiscal 2021 budget, which includes the school department.

Town Administrator Melissa Malone this week told the Board of Selectmen that Natick's overall revenue could be $8.2 million lower than the current fiscal year. To make up for that, she recommended using $2.3 million in stabilization funds in fiscal 2021, and not moving forward with some capital projects.

"There will inevitably be impacts on our incredibly dedicated town employees and the services that we can provide for our community," Malone wrote in a memo to the Board of Selectmen. "We will work tirelessly and creatively to minimize those impacts.

Natick Public Schools already furloughed 93 staff on April 13, and a second round could be coming on May 18. Other possible budget cuts that will be discussed on Tuesday include:

• Closing Johnson Elementary School and sending students and staff to other schools
• District-wide staff furloughs
• Eliminating after-school clubs and programs
• Eliminating the theater program at Natick High School, and the world language program in the middle schools
• Possible renegotiation of union contracts
• As a last resort, cutting general education programs

Natick Schools spokeswoman Christina Maryland described the Tuesday discussion as a "first pass" at possible budget cuts. The School Committee likely won't vote on them on Tuesday.

"Given the uncertain time we're in, all budget considerations are being put on the table for consideration and discussion," she said.

Although the cuts are serious, the school department is hoping they are temporary to "avoid having to recover from a scorched Earth policy," the May 5 meeting agenda says.

All Natick schools have been closed since March due to coronavirus, and, along with all other schools in the state, won't reopen until the fall.