Thank you for your recent stories about some of the great things that are happening in the Somerville Public Schools.

We
are writing to make sure your readers know that the global recession
and declining state and city revenues are likely to have a significant
impact on our public schools. The most recent draft budget that the
Superintendent of Schools presented to the School Committee calls for
significant cuts in the budget and reductions in positions.

We
are all sick at heart about having to make cuts; we run a tight ship
and there is little fat to cut. But we have no choice but to play the
hand that we have been dealt by the state.

You can help. We
invite you to attend the School Committee's Public Budget Hearing on
Wednesday, June 3rd, at 7 PM at Somerville High School in the Library.
We encourage you to share your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. We
have some tough choices to make and we're interested in what you think.
You can find the Superintendent's budget proposal on the Somerville
Public Schools website at www.somerville.k12.ma.us.

If you
cannot attend, we hope you will share your thoughts by phone or email.
You can find contact information for all members of the School
Committee on the SPS website.

Maureen Bastardi – Ward 1 – Chairperson

Mark Niedergang – Ward 5 – Vice Chairperson

Teresa Cardoso – Ward 2

Adam Sweeting – Ward 3

James Norton – Ward 4

Paul Bockelman – Ward 6

Mary Jo Rossetti – Ward 7

Alderman Walter Pero, President, Board of Alderman

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone