During the public comment period at the Jan. 2 Chelsea School Committee meeting, Catherine Anderson, president of the Chelsea Teachers Union, and resident Vanessa Mendoza Mercado urged the committee to honor the priorities set during the public budget process when the district reallocates vacancy and salary savings midyear.

"We made a commitment to replacing the student-facing positions first when we were to see any more money from the budget," said Catherine Anderson, identifying herself as president of the Chelsea Teachers Union and a special-education liaison. Anderson said the district had added three central-office positions since the budget cycle ended and that schools were already being told to tighten next year's budgets because of slightly lower enrollment.

Vanessa Mendoza Mercado said she shared Anderson's concerns and asked how savings from vacancies were being reallocated: "Are they supporting the students in the schools that are missing these staff members? Are these appropriate changes? Are they equal?" Mendoza Mercado also noted that the proposal under discussion included approximately $22,000 directed to Kelley School staff but close to $700,000 redirected to central instructional supports, equity and wellness, and other areas.

Both speakers asked the committee to reflect the priorities voiced during the public budget process when making midyear changes. The transcript records that committee members heard these comments during the public-comment portion of the agenda; later in the meeting the committee approved a $440,000 transfer and a superintendent-recommended budget amendment (both approved by roll call, 8 yes, 1 absent). The commenters did not request immediate action at the meeting but asked the committee to consider their concerns during the remainder of the budget season.

Why it matters: Commenters framed the issue as a question of district priorities: whether vacancy savings and midyear additions should be used first to restore school-facing staff that affect classroom instruction, or to fund central-office positions and districtwide initiatives.