Groton Dunstable School District faces staffing cuts and budget challenges for 2025-2026

The Groton-Dunstable Regional School District is facing significant changes in staffing and resources as it prepares for the upcoming fiscal year. During a recent school committee meeting, officials highlighted a reduction in interventionist positions and nursing staff, which has raised concerns about the impact on student support.

This year, Florence Roche Elementary School has seen a decrease in reading interventionists, dropping from five to four for a larger student body of 619. Similarly, Swallow Union has gone from two reading interventionists for 320 students last year to just one for 210 students. In math support, Florence Roche has only one full-time interventionist for the same number of students, while Swallow Union has eliminated its math interventionist position entirely, relying instead on a part-time math coordinator to cover multiple roles.

The nursing situation has also changed dramatically. Previously, each middle school had one nurse for approximately 370 students. Now, with one nursing position eliminated, the remaining nurse must serve around 700 students part-time, creating potential gaps in medical support for students.

These staffing reductions come amid broader challenges, including increased class sizes and decreased course offerings at the high school level. School officials emphasized the dedication of teachers and staff, who are managing multiple responsibilities to maintain educational quality despite these constraints.

In response to these challenges, the committee is advocating for increased funding from state lawmakers to address the broken Chapter 70 funding formula. They are also urging residents of Groton and Dunstable to support the proposed budget of $51,369,833 for the fiscal year 2025-2026, which includes allocations for district leadership, instructional services, and maintenance.

The committee's vote on the budget reflects a collective effort to secure necessary resources for the district, ensuring that students receive the support they need to succeed. As the district navigates these changes, community involvement and advocacy for educational funding will be crucial in shaping the future of Groton-Dunstable schools.