May 19, 2020
ASHBURNHAM-WESTMINSTER REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED FEDERAL SUPPORT AND STIMULUS FUNDING FOR PUBLIC K-12 EDUCATION
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has required an immediate overhaul of the instructional plans and strategies of not only our school system but school systems across the country as well; and
WHEREAS, we are bound to remain committed to delivering high-quality instruction while ensuring the health and safety of our students and staff; and
WHEREAS, the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School teachers, paraprofessionals and other district employees continue to provide our students and families with access to their educational needs; and
WHEREAS, the effects of these challenges will persist well into the next school year as COVID-19 affects our economy and destabilizes funding for public schools; and
WHEREAS, we are already incurring substantial unexpected costs to provide meal services and purchase and deploy digital instructional devices; and
WHEREAS, we will be facing difficult decisions about how to allocate dwindling financial resources to sustain high-quality instruction and other essential services for students and families over the next several years; and
WHEREAS, revenue shortfalls will unequivocally result in budget cuts and likely cause personnel reductions in our district; and
WHEREAS, these budget cuts will be happening at the same time that we will be working to address the immense instructional challenge of unfinished learning that many students will face coming out of this school year; therefore, let it be
RESOLVED: That all members of the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School Committee join with the Superintendent of Schools in urging the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, including our United States Senators and House of Representative members, to advocate for and approve additional federal education funding for our nation’s public schools.
On roll call, the order was approved by the following vote:
Yeas: 10 Chris Eddy, William Ewing, Ellen Holmes, Kyle Johnson, Winnie Kender, Janet Smith, Justin Sparks, Andrew Storm, Jennifer Storm, Bridget Tucker
Nays: 0
Absent: 0