Hanover Schools Face Potential $1.75 Million Budget Cut
District Explores Full-Day Kindergarten to Boost State Funding
HANOVER, MA - November 13 - Hanover School District is grappling with a potential $1.75 million reduction in services and personnel for the upcoming fiscal year, as revealed during a recent school committee meeting. The district is considering drastic measures to meet budget constraints, including eliminating discretionary bus transportation and specialist subjects.
Superintendent Matthew Ferron and Director of Finance Michael Oates presented three budget scenarios: level-funded, level services, and a restoration of fiscal year 2024 services. The level-funded budget, requested by the Town Manager, assumes no increase to the district's operating budget allocation.
"We are creating budget reduction scenarios that range up to 1.8 million dollars," Ferron said. "The unknown creates anxiety, fear and uncertainty."
The potential cuts could impact all levels of education in Hanover. At the elementary and middle school level, the district may reduce 8 to 10 classroom teachers, resulting in class sizes of 27 to 29 students at the elementary level and 27 to 32 at the middle school.
Another option under consideration is the elimination of specialist subjects such as art, music, and information technology at the elementary and middle school levels. This move would necessitate shortening the student day and reducing hours for support staff.
At the high school level, the district may need to cut classroom teachers, leading to larger class sizes and a reduction in elective courses and AP offerings. The elimination or reduction of content area teachers and specialists is also on the table.
School Committee member Libby Corbo expressed concern about the impact of these cuts. "We are in a school district that can't afford to fund two reading teacher positions. That is completely unacceptable," she said.
The potential elimination of discretionary bus transportation could save an estimated $500,000, but would only provide transportation for K-6 students living more than two miles from school. This move raises safety concerns due to increased traffic around schools.
"We cannot add cars to those streets. There are safety concerns around that," Oates said.
Despite the grim outlook, the district is exploring strategies to increase funding. One such initiative is the implementation of free full-day kindergarten, which could boost state Chapter 70 funding in subsequent years.
Ferron explained, "We're looking at options of maybe using some stabilization fund money or some other opportunity to finally fund full day kindergarten for a year with the understanding that it will be self-sustaining. It will pay for itself every year going forward in the form of increased chapter 70 funding."
The move to full-day kindergarten, while initially costly, is expected to increase the district's student count for state aid purposes. Currently, half-day and tuitioned full-day kindergarten students are only counted as half-students for state funding calculations.
School Committee members emphasized the need for sustainable funding solutions. Committee member Ryan Hall noted, "Even if we find a little bit this year, we're just bumping it down the road."
Committee Chair Peter Miraglia added that the only path forward for sustainable funding would require a Proposition 2½ override, which would need to be approved by voters.
The school committee will continue to refine budget projections in the coming months. A budget forum is planned, and the committee will meet again on Dec. 11 to further discuss the financial challenges facing the district.
As the budget process unfolds, district officials and committee members urged community engagement. Hanover Teachers Association President Steve Henderson called for residents to have conversations with neighbors who may have opposed last year's override attempt.
"We need to do is bring the conversations directly to our neighbors," Henderson said. "Let people know the seriousness with which this truly is."