While Granby students look forward to spring break, the town’s budget process is in full swing. Superintendent Cheri Burke’s forward-thinking education budget includes investments in staffing and programming to meet the needs of students, staff and facilities now and in the future. Unfortunately, the Granby Board of Finance budget guidance does not align with these goals. The Granby Board of Education now faces tough decisions to balance educational needs with taxpayer concerns.
As the Granby Education Association’s president for the past eight years, I’ve seen Granby face many challenges and achieve fiscal progress during difficult economic times. Having negotiated three teachers’ contracts, I understand the strain Granby faces in funding the rising costs of government services. Investing in public schools often comes at the expense of residential taxpayers, and federal and state grants, which have helped meet student needs post-pandemic, are becoming less reliable.
Attendees at recent BOE meetings have asked about the roles and costs of various positions in our schools. As president of the GEA and a high school science teacher, I’d like to answer those questions.
In my classroom students arrive with varying levels of readiness. It is nearly impossible for me to address their needs individually. I rely on special education case managers (certified teachers) and paraeducators to differentiate instruction needs, manage behaviors and support students based on individual needs. This teamwork makes me a better teacher for all my students.
Support staff like school psychologists, social workers and guidance counselors help students navigate social and emotional challenges. These professionals provide essential guidance, allowing me to focus on teaching. They enrich my perspective beyond what students may share with me directly.
The library media specialist’s role is vital to helping students engage in research and to develop critical media skills—areas I don’t have the time to keep up with and teach my curriculum. Additionally, students receive programming that fosters reading—an increasingly important skill students are engaging in less independently.
Instructional coaches and interventionists play a key role work with struggling students individually and helping teachers refine their curricula. Veteran educators assist newer teachers develop their skills, improving the overall teaching quality.
Specials and elective teachers offer students the opportunity to explore their passions. These subjects spark motivation in reluctant learners, improving their engagement with school. When students connect with a subject they love, attendance improves, and they push through their other subjects.
In short, regular education teachers can better meet the needs of all students with a full support team. While it may seem inefficient to some, these positions ultimately lead to better outcomes for all students. Reducing them would negatively impact everyone.
Special education costs are another concern. The BOE and Burke aim to develop tailored, in-house programming for students with special needs. While outplacement is necessary for some students, building local programming benefits the students and the community’s long-term financial health.
Inclusion also plays a vital role. When students with special needs are integrated into regular classrooms, they form connections with peers. While this may not be a measurable outcome, teaching kindness and empathy toward each other is invaluable.
Moving forward, investing in our schools is a shared responsibility. Long-term planning is necessary, and the conversation must include how the district spends its budget and how the town manages and diversifies its revenue sources to support it. The GEA will continue to advocate for our students at local and state levels to secure the funding necessary for our schools.
Ultimately, it is Granby taxpayers who will determine the future of our schools. A special April edition of the Drummer will detail this year’s proposed budget. Your participation in the process and vote will send a message to elected officials about what the community values. We hope you will support the budget and show that you value the work we do for your students.