March 22, High School Connections IV Program Presented by

Our Mission “ To prepare all students to attain their full potential as life-long learners, critical thinkers, and productive citizens of our diverse community and global society. ” Five years ago the District committed to completing the Connections program K-12. March 22, 20122

3 Connections IV is the Final Piece Connections IV completes this service delivery model for students with a primary diagnosis of Autism Spectrum or Non Verbal Learning Disability. In which services are delivered effectively through specialized programming and support. Connections IV prepares students for successful post secondary education, employment and independent living.

Why Connections IV? Public commitment 5 years ago. Superintendent, SC, ABRHS principal & Dir. of Pupil Services Connection IV continues to be an “unmet need.” Director Huber and Principal Callen Proven, successful education model for students with complex learning needs. Preschool – 8 th Grade Reduces overall education spending. SMART Goal #2 – Reduce costs through program development FinCom – Looking to reduce recurring expenses March 22, 20124

5 We Value our District’s Strengths Our thanks to a strong Central Office Administration Dr. Mills has demonstrated great educational leadership over the last three years. He’s brought an inclusionary leadership style as well as greater transparency and discipline to the budget process. He and the Central Office have successfully maintained high quality education through difficult financial times.

March 22, We Value our District Staff We thank Liza Huber for her vision, transparency, commitment to student needs, and leadership. Maintaining student services during difficult budget cycles Establishing a pilot summer program with Community Ed. We thank Alixe Callen and Liza Huber for working collaboratively and creatively to reallocate resources. Completing the Hayward Center & Learning Center 5 Beginning the Connections IV program in FY ‘13 with a Transition assistant and.2 Counselor. We also thank Principal Callen and Director Huber for setting up a committee to pursue the completion of Connections IV.

We Value our School Committee We want to thank Paul Murphy and Mike Coppolino for being School Committee reps to the SpEd PAC this year. Their guidance and advocacy has been enormously appreciated. March 22, 20127

8 Where We Are Now We know it’s late in the budget process and that options are limited at this time. We know that the Finance Committee is pushing back hard on school budgets. We realize it’s too late to add FTEs to the FY ‘13 budget. We recognize that funds are limited and that there has to be a balance between funding of educational needs and town services.

March 22, This Year We prepared a cost analysis of Connections IV for the School Committee. Analysis shows recurring net savings to the District. The School Committee requested additional information about financial benefits to the District. Analysis shows projected net savings of approximately $900,000 over the next four years. We hope to receive feedback soon.

March 22, This Year We’ve sat through the budget process as it unfolded month to month. We’ve watched level service budgets be defined in a way that reduced services for special education students with no School Committee discussion or analysis of the consequences. We’ve watched the School Committee accommodate the ever changing and increasingly costly Lower Fields project. We’ve watched as Don Aicardi noted a $540,000 over budgeted reimbursement in Circuit Breaker without public discussion.

March 22, This Year We’ve heard about artificial turf, hot dogs and T shirts but we didn’t hear how these things compare to the unfunded educational needs prioritized by building leaders. We’ve sent letters requesting public dialogue on important special education issues, but no public discussion has occurred. We didn’t hear a discussion of the Connections IV Program. And now it’s too late.

March 22, Our Hopes In the past you’ve found creative solutions to provide necessary services. At the end of FY ’12 we hope you’re able to find a way to reinstate the special education assistant cuts or expand Connections IV. We hope that more can be done for this vulnerable population of students in need.

March 22, Looking Forward For five years we’ve worked very hard to change the tone of the PAC and District’s relationship to one based on respect, mutual trust and transparency. We’ve had successes together, but this year we feel the process hasn’t adequately supported Special Education students’ needs. We are committed to making next year better. We look forward to talking with you in September.