Augustus Proposes Additional $14 Million Next Year for Worcester Public Schools
Monday, May 11, 2015
According to Augusuts' proposal, state funding increased education aid by $11 million. The state also required the city to contribute $1.6 million of its own money. Augustus plans to add an additional $1 million as well as contribute $500,000 from reduction of the city's grant fees and from proceeds of the sale of the former Worcester Courthouse.
How the City Will Spend in FY2016
The proceeds from the courthouse sale will go towards funding for planning of the Pilot Innovation Academy proposed by Superintendent Dr. Melinda Boone and the Worcester School Committee.
"Much of our ongoing investments in education come in the form of commitments to build and improve educational facilities," Augustus said in his proposal to the City Council. One of those commitments is the new Nelson Place Elementary School - a $57 million project that the city has committed 20% of the funding to.
According to Augustus, the city has funded $27 million in the past three years on repair projects at schools in Worcester. The city has authorized $1 million for a "feasibility study" to start securing state assistance for improvements at South High School.
The city is also planning on opening its fourth branch library in a Worcester Public School over the next fiscal year.
Other Highlights of Proposed Budget
"The Fiscal 2016 budget makes some targeted investments in key priority areas, and at the same time we are preserving core services, often with staffing levels well below those of six years ago," Augustus said in his statement.
Here are some other highlights of Augustus' proposed budget for FY2016:
- A new recruit class of 23 officers for the Worcester Police Department
- Creates a position of Deputy Chief over the Bureau of Professional Standards for WPD
- A new recruit class of 30 Firefighters for the Worcester Fire Department
- Creates a position of Captain to oversee the Training Division of WFD
- Reopen the the City's Regional Emergency Communications Center (RECC)
- Establishes a position of Chief Diversity Officer at Department of Human Resources
- Creates position that focuses on intergovernmental and municipal initiatives
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