VIDEO: Parents Say Teacher Layoffs Hurt Children

More than 100 parents and educators came together to express their concerns about the increased class sizes and staff layoffs that are proposed to bridge the gap in the school budget for the upcoming year.

Parents and educators urged all residents to come together and figure out a solution to this ongoing problem that is a reflection of the down economy and the lack of state and federal funding that has helped the school has received in the past.

"Who will suffer the most? The children," said Stephanie Moran, a teacher and Shrewsbury resident who spoke at a public hearing at the . "These cuts are a detrimental blow to the community as well."

Superintendent Joseph Sawyer announced six layoffs of staff and 30 paraprofessional positions will be eliminated from the upcoming year's school budget. This will result in higher class sizes in grades four through eight, with an average of 29.

Parents and teachers were asking for the community to come together and find a solution to overcome the $844,949 school budget deficit and either raise taxes or find other revenue sources.

Another parent, Melissa Pride, held out her checkbook in support of raising taxes. "I think we all need to chip in and I'm ready to write a check to the school to raise my own taxes," she said because she fears the town won't raise taxes to help offset the budget problems.

One mother of three, Gayle Galletta hadn't planned on speaking at the public hearing, but offered a different budget solution.

"If people are against raising taxes, then maybe we could offer the kids take every third day off as a furlough and they can wander the streets and get some street smarts," Galletta said, sarcastically.

So many parents and educators expressed their concerns over the larger class sizes and the impact it would have on the education of Shrewsbury's children and work against the highly successful education that the school department has continually offered, even in tough budget seasons.

Sawyer suggested parents support their school's parent teacher organizations, get more familiar with the budget process and support community fundraisers like the 5k Road Scholar's Race on April 1 and the annual Garden Party that helps raise funds for the schools.

For more information about the school budget, visit the school department's website.