Boston Public Schools announced its largest budget proposal, with money focused on early education, teachers and more classroom time spent learning — yet several schools will still see a cut in their individual budgets.
The district is looking at a $1.139 billion budget for FY20, nearly a $26 million increase from the current year. This will include a 25 percent increase in per-pupil spending since 2014 and a rebuttal for reductions in state and federal funding for BPS, officials said. They will focus on three categories: increasing learning for elementary students by 40 minutes a day, a Pre-K expansion with community partners including using $3.9 million to replace the Preschool Expansion Grant, and focusing on hiring the best teachers.
Some of the money will go toward a series of “high-impact investments,” including $750,000 in transformation for low-performing schools; $375,000 to strengthen science instruction in grades 3 through 8 and curriculum; and $364,000 to expand exam school access to bring the Independent School Entrance Examination to classrooms during class time and allow more students to take the exam school tests.
“With a strong emphasis on funding initiatives and services that directly benefits students and families, the FY20 budget will help to serve the districts ongoing mission of closing opportunity and achievement gaps,” said Interim Superintendent Laura Perille.