Mullaney

says we'll have to resign ourselves to it being less excellent, not saying it's going to be abominable, but education is going to change in a negative way with a $26 million deficit

charter school freeze is "a no brainer"

how much money would the special ed freeze save? $750,000

Doesn't think ("all hell will break loose") the transportation mandate for all non-public school students will change, due to the political realities

In an election year, people are asking what we're going to cut
400 teachers is 10 teachers per school
What can we tell people who ask us what we are going to do?
She asks for "a general world view"

Boone says that "we share the concern and the pain we anticipate going forward"
References CAO Mulqueen's "start budget with the students in the center"
What are we mandated to provide? What does Worcester feel is important in education?
a minimal education will cause parents who have options to look elsewhere (further decimating the tax base)
"stretching the band to the breaking point...our chance to weed the garden"
If it isn't contributing overall, we'll have to take it off the table
cuts that are very transparent, clear what drives the decision
Need to hear the voices of the community on quality education, rather than individual projects or programs
May still need to cut THIS year