Grade 8 visit to our Nation's Capital and the FY 2014 Proposed Budget

Our eighth graders left for Washington, DC on Thursday, April 25th and returned safely home on Saturday, April 27th. While they were there, they visited many of the sites that are a part of our nation's history, from museums to national landmarks, to Mount Vernon - the home of our first president. While there, they had a chance to meet U.S. Congressman, Jim McGovern, who took time out of his schedule to visit with them on the steps of the Capital building.

JBMS 8th graders with Congressman Jim McGovern

The students learned a lot while they were away and have some wonderful memories of their trip! Thanks to Mr. Ruscio, Ms. Monette, Officer Krol, and the staff and parents who chaperoned the trip and made it such a success.

FY 2014 Proposed Budget

On Tuesday, April 30th, the School Committee will hold its annual public budget hearing as part of a regular meeting at 7:00 pm in the auditorium at Belchertown High School. After starting with a level service budget and looking at the overall revenues from the town in deliberations with the Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen, the proposed budget is $243,421 less than level service in order to stay within available town revenues. In order to meet the gap between the originally proposed budget and the available resources, this version of the budget includes some cuts and increases to fees. A formal presentation on the budget will be made at the meeting and an opportunity will be provided to the public to ask questions and make comments prior to the School Committee taking a final vote on it. Click here to see a copy of the proposed FY 2014 budget.

If you have any questions or comments about this blog post, feel free to call me at 413.323.0423 or send an email to superintendent@belchertown.org.

Best regards, Dr. Judith Houle, Superintendent of Schools