Rejection of education budget results in proposed elimination of full-time kindergarden, teacher layoffs, closing of Mill Ridge Intermediate School

In advance of tonight's Education budget meeting at City Hall, word is being spread that, due to the mayor's rejection of the Board of Education's budget request, school administration officials are moving forward with some rather drastic cuts to the system, which include elimination of full time kindergarten, teacher layoffs, and the closing of the Mill Ridge Intermediate school.

Here's a message from PTO President Brian Walsh:

At last night's building utilization meeting we all agreed to move forward with the recommendation of moving grades 3 to the Primary and 4th and 5th grade to King Street. MRI will become a Middle School in the future. I truly believe in my heart this is the right move for our students for the short and long term success. I know for many it is hard to swallow but after sitting in multiple meetings and looking at all the data it came down to how our children will get the best education. As PTO President I feel responsible for each and every student at MRI and they have to be and will be my First Second and only priority. I supported the plan that I feel is best for their educational future. We looked at many options and we continue to return to this one.

As my sources noted, not all parents and teachers agree with this proposal, and who can blame them when this means busing children to a different school and a good possibility of increased class sizes. Also of note, the building utilization committee was made up of administrators, board members, parents and no teachers.

According to sources, with the proposed closing of Mill Ridge, the following positions will be cut:

• 1 elementary principal


• 1 secretary


• .5 math specialist


• 1 media specialist


• 1 language arts specialist


• 1 nurse


• 2 custodians

Here's a list of the additional cuts

• Full day kindergarten would be eliminated and the district will offer universal half-day kindergarten. This change will result in the elimination of 5.5 teachers and 11 paraeducators


• 4 additional classroom teachers will be eliminated at the elementary level.


• The Summit Program will be reorganized to an after-school program, resulting in the elimination of 1 teaching position.

Needless to say that these are drastic cuts to the education program in the city and it's yet to be seen if there will be any backlash to this proposal from parents.