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Mailed free to requesting homes in Webster, Dudley and the Oxfords 508-764-4325 COMPLIMENTARY HOME DELIVERY ONLINE: WWW.STONEBRIDGEPRESS.COM Friday, March 2, 2018 State demands Oxford increase school budget BY GUS STEEVES If realized, such a hike “cer- budgets.” on it,” and towns gets small said the state review covers TIMES CORRESPONDENT tainly bodes well,” for next Fixing the way the state aid increases, “but in reality, three areas – special ed, civil OXFORD – Going into this year Nash said, but she will funds schools has been before we’re losing money” as costs rights and English language year’s budget cycle, Oxford “see how it all plays out.” the Legislature for years, par- rise. He and others urged res- learners – with a long list of school officials are expecting Town Manager Brian Palaia ticularly since a government idents to pay attention to how criteria. The state will focus what Superintendent Kristine said the town has no choice but commission a couple years ago area legislators vote on school on three main targets: whether Nash called a “substantial to find that extra money. recommended several changes funding bills. children identified as possibly increase” in the local contribu- “Let’s say the allowable [2.5 to the funding formula in use Much of the meeting was needing services get reviews tion, based on the state’s “con- percent] increase creates about since the 1990s. So far, none taken up by an overview of within 45 days, whether kids voluted formula” for school $525,000 in new taxes,” he have been implemented. special education programs in start getting them “on their support. wrote by email. “The $446K has As member Daniel Coonan light of the fact the district is third birthday, and not after,” She told the most recent to come out of that first, leav- observed, “everyone’s scream- going through its state review and whether who need transi- School Committee meeting that ing very little for other expens- ing formula change, formula process. The process happens tion planning have such forms the state’s requesting Oxford es. It’s a somewhat dramatic change,” especially in central every six years. on file by the time their age 14. add more than $446,000 this increase for one year to go up Massachusetts because area Noting special ed students It started last year, and most year, although the state’s own by that amount. The challenge towns “get whacked because amount to 16.4 percent of Turn To SCHOOL BUDGET Chapter 70 aid is “somewhat will be addressing other areas we don’t make as much. They Oxford’s students, student ser- page flat,” adding about $35,000. of need within the non-school always say they’re working vice director Susan Henrichon A11 School committee Third raise request has personnel board proposes 6.4 percent spreading caution BY JASON BLEAU assistant Jennifer Cournoyer. budget increase TIMES CORRESPONDENT With a current wage of $14.78 DUDLEY – Over the past few per hour Burlingame said months the Dudley Personnel Cournoyer is severely under- BY JASON BLEAU the actions we’re taking this opportunities for students as STONEBRIDGE CORRESPONDENT Board has heard several paid and has put in a budget year are absolutely neces- well as health insurance obli- requests for raises within the request of $20 an hour to bring The numbers are in and the sary and appropriate,” Desto gations. The budget includes town hall. Now a third request her within range of other sur- Dudley Charlton Regional told the school committee dis- two new adjustment coun- has come forward continuing rounding communities, which School District is looking at cussing the budget increase cilors as well as a pair of a trend that has some board all range from $18 to $23 per a 6.4 percent increase in its and proposed override that technology integration spe- members slightly concerned. hour for comparable jobs. budget proposal for the 2019 both Charlton and Dudley cialists. This time around it was Burlingame said he believes fiscal year. will vote on in the coming According to Desto’s Nelson Burlingame, the build- Cournoyer is deserving of the The spending plan totals months. presentation the town of ing inspector for Dudley, bump in pay not just to remain $53.1 million and includes “I want to be clear on this. Charlton would contribute who requested a raise for his Turn To RAISE A13 $2.9 million in increases over If my calculations are correct $13.9 million, a 12.4 percent page the current fiscal year. The a $3 million override would increase, to the spending budget is expected to include add about $700 per pupil to plan while Dudley would $24.3 million from Chapter our per pupil expenditure. be assessed $9.3 million, a 70 state aid monies and $1.6 That would put us ahead of 19.6 percent increase, over million in state reimburse- Wachusett and Douglas if the the current year. The two Land Trust sponsors ments as well as the final numbers stayed the same, increases total around $1.5 installment from the state to but would still keep us below million a piece that would be pay off school construction (everyone else). It’s not like decided by special elections debt. Superintendent Gregg this would be a windfall – It from both towns. Charlton tree ID program Desto gave the school com- helps us be able to compete approved their election for mittee a full overview of the is all it does and put our kids April 3, but Dudley had yet Just what is that tree in the ents Bark: Get to Know Your budget layout in mid-Febru- in a position to continue to to announce a date for press backyard? And that tree down Trees at the Dudley Grange, 9 ary and said he understands compete.” time. the street actually sheds its a.m. to noon. that challenges still remain Desto presented goals for Superintendent Desto said bark, what is that? Wojtech, a naturalist, writ- for the long road ahead. the new fiscal year as well that the spending plan pro- The Dudley Land Trust er, illustrator and educator, “Over the past 12 years the with the top commitments vides everything the district is going to help answer will present a three hour pro- burden of funding for our dis- being school safety and secu- will need going forward with those questions and others gram with the first hour of trict has shifted 10 percent rity and increase of support a plan for the future and Saturday, April 7 when natu- classroom work to set the cri- from the state to the town. All systems for students as well funding to dig the district out ralist Michael Wojtech pres- Turn To LAND page A9 along everyone in this room as reduce elementary school of a financial hole due to cost has been hearing ‘well the class sizes. Other objectives sharing and other factors. burden is shifting because include progress toward If the budget passes Desto of the new formula’. That’s STEAM based learning, inte- called it a best case scenario the result. Ten percent of our gration of technologies and that would allow the district budget is $5 million. I think maintaining extracurricular Turn To COMMITTEE page A5 Hollywood producer to deliver Nichols College commencement address DUDLEY — Nichols College and effort. I also hope students and Danish for the crew at a has announced Hollywood will understand how instru- New York City television stu- film producer Louis A. Stroller mental Nichols was in provid- dio. (One of his early assign- ‘63 will deliver the address at ing me with the tools I needed ments was to chauffeur Harry the college’s commencement to reach my dreams and goals.” S. Truman to the studio for exercises on Saturday, May 5 at Stroller has been an assis- a documentary production the DCU Center in Worcester. tant director, production man- on the former president.) He During the ceremony, Stroller ager, and producer on more became the unit manager of will also receive an honorary than 40 films, working with the Mel Brooks comedy classic, doctoral degree in communica- some of Hollywood’s most “The Producers,” and served tions and media from the col- renowned actors, including as first assistant director on lege. The event starts at 5 p.m. Denzel Washington, Meryl films such as “Charly,” Woody “Nichols College provided Streep, Angelina Jolie, Al Allen’s “Take the Money and me with a nurturing envi- Pacino, Nicolas Cage, Sean Run,” and “Lovers and Other ronment that enabled me to Connery, and Sissy Spacek. Strangers.” grow as a person, a business- His notable list of film credits In 1978, following a move man, and a filmmaker,” said includes “The Bone Collector,” to California, Stroller began FIRE WALKING Stroller. “My education and “Snake Eyes,” “The Rock,” an association with producer experiences there served as “Carrie,” “Scarface,” “Sea of Martin Bregman and actor/ Gus Steeves photo my foundation for my career. I Love,” and “Carlito’s Way.” director Alan Alda, and teamed Peter Paradox (his stage name) of Boston juggles fire at the hope the graduates of the Class Brooklyn-born and a 1963 with them for “The Seduction annual Webster Winterfire. He said he normally likes faster of 2018 will be inspired to know graduate of Nichols College, of Joe Tynan.” He went on to music; his ideal soundtrack would be “like if the devil had an that no matter where you come Stroller humbly began his sto- produce four more Alda films.

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