Last night, School Committee voted on the FY 2013 operating budget and approved a 5.52% increase over last year's budget.  The reduction from Superintendent Gutekanst's original 5.7% request comes from special education costs that are no longer necessary next year due to students graduating. In the coming weeks and months, School Committee will continue to work with the Finance Committee and Town Manager to finalize the budget plan for FY 2013. This process is a fluid one and will continue to develop as the Town learns more about expected state aid and revenues for FY 2013.  CNS will keep you updated as more details become available. 

Preschool parents are invited to the Broadmeadow Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, February 1st at 7:30 p.m. for a brief presentation by Citizens for Needham Schools and Q&A with members of the School Committee. This event immediately follows Superintendent Gutekanst's annual "Know Your Schools" presentation to preschool parents.  We hope to provide parents new to the Needham Public Schools with some basic information about how our schools are organized and funded and how budget decisions can impact issues such as class size. It will also let parents know where to go for information about the schools, and how they can be informed and engaged to help keep our schools strong. Please join us!  

Students who will be turning 18 by March 6, 2012 can take part in a registration drive on Thursday, January 26 at Needham High School. Students will need to bring along a valid Massachusetts driver's license (preferred), or the last four digits of their social security numbers. Please encourage your 17 and 18 year-olds to register to vote!  

Christine Brumbach, Director of Student Services and Program Evaluation, has arranged a forum to gather parent input on the proposed Special Education re-organization for FY 2013. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 31 from 9:00-10:00 AM in the Community Room at the Public Library on Highland Avenue

Nomination papers are now available for anyone interested in running for Town Meeting.  Town Meeting Members are elected by voters in their precincts in the April 10 town election.  Town Meeting Members serve for up to three years and represent their precincts by voting at the Annual and Special Town Meetings. 

Town Meeting usually meets no more than seven evenings per year. Town Meeting Members play a crucial role in town government because most decisions, including all expenditures, must be approved by Town Meeting.  Parents of school-aged children who serve as Town Meeting Members can ensure that the schools' concerns are voiced at Town Meeting; they will also gain a greater sense of the entire town budget. 

If you would like to run for Town Meeting, you must pick up nomination papers at the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall and get 10 signatures of support from registered voters in your precinct.  Nomination papers with signatures must be returned to the Town Clerk by February 22.

The METCO Parent Legislative Committee (MPLC) is asking for community support for METCO Lobby Day, which will take place on Wednesday, March 14th at 9:00 am at the Massachusetts State House.  If you are interested in learning more about this event, please contact Michael Kozu at m_kozu@hotmail.com.  

Citizens for Needham Schools is now on Facebook. Become a fan and invite your friends to do the same!

Know anyone joining the Needham Public Schools next year? Please forward this email to them and encourage them to join our mailing list.