<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">February 19, 2008</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><br>
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</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Dear Cabot Community,</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></div>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>In a memo dated January 31, 2008, the Cabot Political Issues Committee summarized this year’s budget process for our community.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As they stated, Superintendent Young has presented two budgets to the School Committee, the override budget and the allocation budget.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The override budget is the proposed budget that would be in place if the citizens of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Newton</st1:City></st1:place> vote to approve an override this May.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The allocation budget is the proposed budget that would be in place if the citizens of Newton vote against an override in May.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>Further deliberations have taken place since the last memo was sent (the original email is attached to this email for your reference).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The allocation budget was modified based upon feedback the School Committee received from the Community via letters, emails, and phone calls and at the Public Hearing held on February 6, 2008.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>The adjustments made to the allocation budget include:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 21pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 21.0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>Þ</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>Loss of a Fine Arts Coordinator, a World Languages Coordinator, and a<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Reading Specialist Coordinator<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 21pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 21.0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>Þ</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The loss of 12.3 elementary class size aides <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 3pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>These additional reductions were made to put back :<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>Þ</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>14.5 elementary literary specialists and early literary aides, which still will not restore the current level of these specialists<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>Þ</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>3 elementary math coaches (none at Cabot)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>Þ</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>3 middle school teachers<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>Þ</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>1.6 middle school multi-team teacher<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .25in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>Þ</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>5 SPED/pupil Services positions<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>What does this mean specifically at Cabot?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It means if the override budget is not passed, Cabot will see a reduction of 3 classrooms, from the current 21 classrooms to 18 classrooms, with a slight increase in students, projected from 424 this year up to 430 for next year.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These figures suggest that certain classes at Cabot may be as high as 28 students, especially in grades 2, 3, and 4 where consolidation of these grades are likely with the current numbers and projections.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Although final class configuration decisions are left to the Principal, total classroom teachers assigned to a particular school will be based upon these numbers. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>On the evening of February 11, 2008, the School Committee approved both the allocation budget and the override budget.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was clear that both Superintendent Jeff Young and the School Committee were unhappy with the allocation budget, but felt that it was as good as it could be given the limited amount of money they were allocated.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>To see all the budget details, go to:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A href="http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee/_documentsFY08/FY09_Override_Budget_01_14_08.pdf"><FONT face=Garamond size=3>http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee/_documentsFY08/FY09_Override_Budget_01_14_08.pdf</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A href="http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee/_documentsFY08/fy09_allocation_budget.pdf"><FONT face=Garamond size=3>http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee/_documentsFY08/fy09_allocation_budget.pdf</FONT></A><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>To see the Superindent’s comments and specifics about the ‘revised allocation budget’, go to:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A href="http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/pdf/FY09%20Allocation%20Budget%201-28-08.pdf"><FONT face=Garamond color=#800080 size=3>http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/pdf/FY09%20Allocation%20Budget%201-28-08.pdf</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>As citizens of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Newton</st1:place></st1:City>, as parents and guardians, we urge you to get involved in this process and consider what type of education you want for your children in the Newton Public Schools. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>Questions and comments about this and other issues will be welcome at our evening round table discussion. Please join us for:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>Cabot Community Conversations<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></B></div>
<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>February 28, 2008<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></B></div>
<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>Cabot Gymnasium<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></B></div>
<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>7:00 PM – 9:00 PM<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></B></div>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>A Round Table Discussion on:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
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<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">FY ’08 -‘09 School Budget</B> – Override vs. Allocation, and how this is <U>not</U> part of the Newton North Construction Project;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Facilities Planning</B> – Current and Long Term; <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Strategic Vision Planning</B><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>– Newton Public Schools of 2020.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></LI></UL>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 117.0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>In an open forum format, you will be able to ask questions, and hear more about the above topics from a host of people, such as:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
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<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>Principal, Dr. Marilynne Quarcoo;<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>School Committee Members, including Reenie Murphy and Geoff Epstein<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>Move Newton Forward Representatives, including Cabot parent Sarah Ecker; and <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>Newton Strategic Planning Committee Members, including Cabot parent Lisa Prior. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></LI></UL>
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<div class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Garamond>We welcome you to be part of the future of education for our children and Newton schools!!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Hope to see you all.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></div>
<br>
<br>
<div style="CLEAR: both">Mary Kathryn Fallon<br>
Cabot PTO Co-President<br>
marykathf@aol.com<br>
617-244-1821</div>
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