ATM...an update! WPS 3-1-24
At this time of year, we tend to see the acronym ATM in many places as we prepare for our Annual Town Meeting. This year it is scheduled for Saturday March 23, 2024 at Westford Academy starting at 9:00 am. More information regarding logistics, the timeline of the day, as well as the articles on the warrant can be found on this webpage: https://www.westfordma.gov/393/Town-Meeting The Recreation Department will once again be providing childcare for families who register in advance using this link: TM Childcare Signup
Leading up to this year’s ATM, along with Town Manager Kristen Las and members of the School Committee and Select Board, we have been holding a number of different Road Show events to provide information and answer questions regarding the upcoming FY25 budget. Our final event on that tour is an Open Forum this Monday night March 4, 2024 at the Millenium Building starting at 7:00 pm. This will be a hybrid event with the ability to participate via Zoom, as well. To attend virtually, please register here:
https://westfordma-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8Knl7y-7Ssu1DFXfv6puKw
During this forum, we will be sharing the most recent updates to the FY25 budget requests and discussing the impacts of both scenarios: one budget that remains within the constraints of Proposition 2 ½ and one budget that would require an override. Additionally, the presentation provides context for the impacts that the final FY25 budget decision could have on FY26, FY27 and FY28. As a reminder, the overall town budget is determined by the voters each year. Last Monday night, the School Committee approved a lower budget request amount that would still require an override but recognizes additional cost reductions from the initial budget request determined earlier. The new slides from that meeting with the updated amount and potential impacts can be accessed here: New Slides for Updated FY25 Budget Proposal 2_26_2024.pdf
Finally, this month from March 18th - 24th, Westford Public Schools will once again be participating in Neurodiversity Celebration Week. As a community, this celebration is intended to build awareness and appreciation of all neurodiverse individuals. Each of our schools will be conducting age appropriate events and or activities such as exploring specific literature or read-alouds, introducing learners to famous neurodiverse individuals, and or sharing fun facts and information through special announcements and events. It was a wonderfully successful week last year and we are looking forward to it again. Many of our classrooms already include curriculum throughout the year that helps to highlight the importance of building this awareness and we are excited as a community to bring this dedicated focus to everyone’s attention during a unified week of celebration.
Cheers!
Chris
Christopher Chew, Ed. D
Superintendent
Westford Public Schools