The Hudson Budget Committee met on Dec. 13 where they discussed the combined elementary school budget for Hudson. Dr. H.O. Smith Elementary School Principal, Mary-Ellen Labrie, was at the meeting with Superintendent of Schools Daniel Moulis.
“This is a collaborative effort among all four elementary principals,” said Labrie. “We base it using achievement data, educational resources, facility needs, schooling district goals, teaching input, and while comparing prices to be mindful of budget costs.”
The total budget is up slightly, mainly due to preexisting contractual obligations with teachers. Supply costs are also up due to inflation, much of which will be covered using federal funding before it expires next September.
Elementary schools also hope to invest in several new learning programs, like magnetic reading for grades 2-5 along with the Being a Writer program.
“Magnetic reading ensures that all students are getting the right support for succeeding as a grade level reader,” said Labrie. “Being a Writer was adopted in grades K-5, it is a research-based program that integrates all the components of writing and embeds some social skills development to foster students’ communication skills across various areas while becoming responsible and caring members of their classroom.”
There was an emphasis on maintaining software subscriptions needed to help students from the preschool level through fifth grade. The principal singled out their Math in Focus software as particularly important for her students.
Other notable requests included new radios for all school staff, classroom furniture replacement, and increased expenditures in the food services program.
H.O. Smith is also specifically looking to fund its own counselor. Currently, H.O. Smith and Library Street School share a counselor. As with other schools in Hudson, all elementary schools are looking to reduce turnover for paraprofessionals.
Director of Special Services, Rachel Borge, was also at the meeting to answer questions related to the McKinney-Vento Act and how the law relates to homeless students in the school system.
“The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal piece of legislation put in place to establish educational stability for students when their families are experiencing homelessness,” said Borge. “It does go into great detail on what constitutes unaccompanied youth, those who have to flee a dangerous situation and are living on their own.”
According to the Director, the most common reason for homeless students since the pandemic has come from the sale of rental units and houses, where new owners are unwilling to continue an existing lease while former tenants were unable to find new housing in time.
“Because it cost too much, or they just couldn’t find new housing?” asked Selectmen liaison David Morin.
Borge stated that the problem was caused by “a little bit of both,” with expensive housing, often poorly suited for families. Many costs related to the program are tied into Hudson’s special education budget. She encouraged Committee members and the public to research the McKinney-Vento Act to learn more.