Residents launch fund-raising drive to save Arlington school jobs
Two community groups are trying to raise $1 million in less than six weeks in an effort to stave off some of the layoffs anticipated for Arlington’s schools.
The Arlington FY11 Group and the Arlington Education Foundation announced last week that they are joining forces for the fund-raising drive, with their target date set for June 7 to give school administrators and parents time to plan for what the system’s program and staffing levels will be in the fall.
Facing a projected deficit of nearly $4 million for the 2011 fiscal year, which starts July 1, the School Committee’s budget proposal includes cutting about 40 teaching slots, all 34 of the district’s crossing guards, and other staff and program reductions.
The school board’s chairman, Joseph Curro, said Thursday that if the fund-raising is successful, the money could be used to restore some teaching positions and crossing guards, as well as some art and music programs.
“We definitely support the campaign,’’ Curro said.
With Bridge the Gap as their slogan, the private, nonprofit groups created the FY11 School Gap Fund as a one-year measure to give the town time to find longer term solutions, said Arlington Education Foundation member Marie Meteer, chairwoman of the fund-raising drive.
Selectmen have already said that it may be necessary to ask voters for a property-tax increase next year to balance the town’s budget for the 2012 fiscal year.
While all contributions are welcome, organizers said, they note that the drive’s $1 million goal would be reached if 2,000 of the town’s roughly 11,000 families chipped in $500.
For more details or to donate to the fund, visit www.arlingtoneducationfoundationma.org.
Brock Parker can be reached at brock.globe@gmail.com 
