Superintendent to Introduce 2013-14 Budget, Continue Math Talks Tonight

The Board of Education will tackle a packed agenda at its meeting tonight, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Board of Education conference room (501 Kings Highway East, second floor).

Following a 7 p.m. executive session to discuss school security, the first major item on the agenda is the presentation of the superintendent's recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2013-2014.

Last year, Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Title introduced a $149.4 million budget, which was whittled down by the Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting to $148.9 million.

The budget discussions will continue on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The budget is scheduled to be adopted on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the board's 7:30 p.m. meeting.

The board will also hear and discuss educational specifications for two major projects: the PCB remediation and window replacement project at Osborn Hill School and the window replacement project for Fairfield Ludlowe High School.

Also on the agenda is a continuation of the discussion about changes to the district's algebra curriculum. The addition of the College Preparatory Math (CPM) book and implementation of the CPM instructional method have left many parents questioning the administration.

The group Fairfield Math Advocates emailed the following statement regarding the discussion:

"With budget season upon us, the Jan. 15 Board of Education (BOE) meeting will present and distribute the Superintendent’s Recommended 2013-2014 Operating Budget. Another important topic to be presented at the BOE meeting will be the secondary math textbook and instructional model currently being piloted in only the Algebra I classes.  At the last BOE meeting, member Jen Kennelly requested a special BOE meeting to discuss the concerns of parents and students as it relates to the controversial new math program (CPM).  However, the special meeting was not permitted, so the Board of Education will continue discussions tonight on the CPM textbook and new method of teaching math. 

The discussion will help parents understand how the district is assessing both the textbook and instructional model in math classes, as well as understand what other resources have been evaluated. To better understand the new math teaching method and textbook piloted in our district, parents are encouraged to attend the BOE meeting. If the CPM textbook and teaching method is adopted by the District, other math levels will adopt the same program."