The School Committee is nearing the end of its FY08 budget deliberations, and it wants to hear from you about school override requests. Please read on to learn about the February 27 public hearing, the High Rock sixth grade center project and the formation of an override campaign committee.

School Committee Public Hearing on Overrides: Tuesday, February 27, 7 p.m. at Broadmeadow

By Thursday, March 1, the School Committee plans to make its decisions regarding what override questions it will ask the Board of Selectmen to place on the April 10 ballot. Possible overrides include an operational override to balance the FY08 operational budget and a debt-exclusion override for middle school projects which include a High Rock renovation and addition and a Pollard technology upgrade. The School Committee must also decide on a dollar amount for those requests. These are difficult decisions, and the School Committee would like to hear from parents. Please attend the public hearing on Tuesday, February 27 and share your opinion.

If you cannot attend the public hearing, please email your thoughts to the School Committee at schoolcommittee@needham.k12.ma.us before Tuesday. An email sent to this address will go to all School Committee members.

Email Your Thoughts to the School Committee

	School Committee Chooses a High Rock Design on Thursday, March 1
On Monday, February 26, the Permanent Public Building Committee will discuss the two proposed designs for the High Rock renovation and addition. The meeting is at the Library, and the High Rock discussion will begin at about 8 p.m. The School Committee will choose one of the designs on Thursday, March 1; the meeting is at Broadmeadow at 8 p.m. You can also watch it on the Needham Channel.

	Needham Schools Spotlight on the School Budget Process
If you are befuddled by the school budget process or just want to be better informed, The Needham Channel can help. Needham Schools Spotlight is running a show about the budget process. Superintendent Dan Gutekanst and School Committee members Marianne Cooley and Jeff Simmons explain how the School Department decides on a budget request and how the Town decides on a school budget. Showtimes are Monday, February 26 at 10:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 27 at 4:00 p.m. and Wednesday, February 28 at 11:30 a.m. You can watch the show on Channel 9 for Comcast and Channel 15 for RCN.

	The Yes for Needham Campaign has Begun. Please Donate or Volunteer.
In anticipation of questions for the schools on the April 10 ballot, the Yes for Needham ballot question committee has been formed. The campaign needs donations and volunteers. You can send donations to Yes for Needham, c/o Liv Nash, 200 Great Plain Avenue, Needham, MA 02492. Please make checks payable to Yes for Needham. The Selectmen will decide on the ballot questions on March 6; if they do not approve any ballot questions for the schools, your donation will be returned to you. If you would like to volunteer, please email Heidi Black at info@YesforNeedham.com. Volunteer for the Yes for Needham Campaign »

	Recap of Important Meeting Dates
Feb 26: PPBC discussion of High Rock, Needham Library at 8:00 p.m. Feb 27: School Committee Hearing on overrides, Broadmeadow School at 7:00 p.m. Mar 1: Meet the Superintendent, Broadmeadow School at 7 p.m. Mar 1: School Committee Meeting to make final decision on the plan for the sixth grade center and override ballot questions, Broadmeadow School at 8 p.m. Mar 6: Board of Selectmen vote on override questions, Town Hall, Room 15 at 7 p.m. Mar 10: School Committee Open House: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at the Needham Historical Society on the Newman campus Mar 20: Central Office Administration Open House: 9 a.m. at the School Administration Building, 1330 Highland Avenue Mar 26: League of Women Voters Candidates’ Night: evening, exact time TBA, Pollard Middle School Mar 27: Meet the Superintendent, sponsored by the Needham Women’s Club: details to come

Quick Links...

Ask a Question Needham Public Schools Website

Citizens for Needham Schools Website FY08 School "Needs Budget" Presentation