Numbers to Know

Gates currently has 5.3 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Para-Professional staff (aka Assistants) supporting our students. This is 13 individuals helping in our classrooms, computer lab and library, working with our specialists and supervising our cafeteria and playground. Mrs. Newman’s recommendation, given the available funds, would be to increase these support hours to 7 FTEs enabling staff to help in our 3rd through 6th grade classes for 18 hours/week and provide for an additional math assistant.

If we are unable to raise the $38,000 to stay at our current staffing level, not only will we be unable to reach the optimal level recommended to support our school, but cuts will be made from Kindergarten through 6th Grade support hours across the board. (No cuts would be considered for lunch and recess supervision.)

Gates School PTO budget is $56,750 for the 2011-2012 school year.  81% of which is donated to the Acton Public School District to pay Para-Professional staff  salaries. The remaining 19% is used for the Author’s Workshop, Activity Day, Performing Arts Enrichment, hospitality at public events, Staff Appreciation Week, Sixth Grade send-off activities, landscaping, field trip scholarships and professional, legal and administrative fees.

Our long term goal is to work with our Principal, Lynne Newman, the Acton School Committee and Dr. Mills, Superintendent of Schools, to reduce the percent of funding needed from our PTOs fundraising efforts for Para-Professional staff at Gates by increasing funding from the town’s appropriated budget and profits from our Extended Day program.  While great efforts are being made for these changes to happen, this year we continue to be faced with the necessity of raising $38,000 to keep our current level of staff in place for the 2012-2013 school year.  If and when these additional funding sources increase, Gates PTO will adjust our budget and fundraising efforts accordingly.

If you have any questions, please contact Janice Martineau jjmartineau@verizon.net or Maureen Flynn gateschochair@yahoo.com