A movement by parents to have foreign languages taught in Darien's elementary schools next year has failed. The Board of Education decided Tuesday night there is not enough money to pay the five additional teachers needed to run the program.
"This is the hardest decision we had to make this year," said Kim Westcott, the Board of Ed chairman. "I would like to support this, but we can't justify the five person headcount. I'm afraid we can't support it this year. I hope we can all take it on next year and make it happen."
The decision to cut the program came as part of the final approval of the $76,074,079 budget for the 2011-12 school year. This represents a 6.38 percent increase in spending over last year, down from the 7.97 percent increase initially proposed.
The decision was not unanimous, with members James Plutte and Susan Perticone supporting the program. "I think that I've heard every year since I moved to Darien, 'This is a tough budget year,'" Plutte said. "I support this program, I think there's widespread support for it in the community."
Also cut from the budget were a middle school and a high school psychologist, and a social worker for the elementary schools. Again, the decision was not unanimous.
"I do not support this cut," said Amy Bell. She questioned whether the current psychologists would be able to handle the testing requirements and counseling hours state law mandates for special education students while also attending to needs of other kids. "An additional psychologist would be in a position to respond to and support the increasing mental health needs of the general population."
The Board approved $50,000 to pay consultants, which could be spent on a psychologist or social worker.
How do you feel about the cutting of elementary foreign languages, a psychologist and a social worker from the 2011-12 budget? Join the conversation in the comments below, on Facebook and on Twitter.
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
