Budget Cuts Lead to Course Reductions at Hanover High School
New Bus Fee System Implemented as District Navigates Financial Challenges
HANOVER, MA - August 28 - Hanover High School students will have fewer course options this fall as the district grapples with staffing reductions due to budget cuts. Several popular classes, including Marine Science, Economics, and Drama, will not be offered in the 2024-2025 school year.
Matt Plummer, the Curriculum Director, explained the impact of the cuts at a recent school committee meeting. "Losing a teacher in every department and four others in the elective areas has resulted in a less than flexible schedule," he said.
The high school will no longer offer Honors Economics, Marine Science, Web App Development, Drama One, Drama Two, Public Speaking, Technical Theater, and AP Music Theory. Senior English electives have been compressed into a single offering.
Despite these challenges, Plummer reported that 96% of course requests were satisfied, resulting in about 80% of students getting their preferred classes. However, he noted that class sizes would be larger and there would be less flexibility in scheduling.
Physical education requirements have also been reduced. "This year, our students, instead of taking PE every other day all year, they're going to take it every other day for two terms, which equates to half the year," Plummer said.
In addition to course reductions, Hanover Public Schools has implemented a new bus fee system this year. Michael Oates, Director of Finance and Operations, reported that 1,575 students have registered for bus transportation so far.
The district expects to generate around $154,000 in revenue from transportation fees, slightly below the initial projection of $195,000. Oates attributed this difference partly to students qualifying for financial assistance.
"We've seen through the registration process that we have a lot of students who qualify for financial assistance. And we're committed to working with families and supporting them," Oates said.
The high school has also sold 101 parking spots, generating over $10,000 in revenue. Registration for clubs and activities fees is just beginning, with only 22 registrations so far.
Despite these financial challenges, the district received some positive news. Oates reported that Hanover Public Schools received nearly $80,000 in donations last year.
School officials emphasized their commitment to providing quality education despite the budget constraints. Superintendent Matthew Ferron said, "We're trying to optimize it for everyone," referring to efforts to balance class sizes and maintain as many course offerings as possible.