WESTFORD REPUBLICANS ANNOUNCE CAUCUS FOR STATE CONVENTION ‘26

 Delegates Sought To Decide 2026 GOP State Ticket: Details Below

     The Westford Republican Town Committee (WRTC) has announced that it will be conducting a caucus to select members to attend the April 2026 Republican State Convention in Worcester MA.  The town has a large delegate slate to fill. ( 29 members).   Delegates to fill this slate will be voted in at a caucus to be held Saturday February 21, 2026 at 10A.  The caucus will be held in the Fire Department Training Room located on Boston Road in Westford.  All registered Westford Republicans are eligible for consideration as a delegate.   Anyone interested in attending should contact IZON at this email address and further details will be provided.   The delegates, who are selected, will determine the statewide Republican ticket for the election in November 2026.  The candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, Treasurer and Secretary of State will be selected. To be selected as a delegate you must appear at the caucus and express your intent to attend.  You will be allowed to make a short statement in support of your bid. The WRTC membership will make the final decision about who will serve as a delegate representing Westford.

Oped Ed

 SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER TAKES ISSUE WITH IZON CHARACTERIZATIONS

Concerns Related To School Psychologist  and Class Size Were Not Sufficiently Clarified

 Submitted By Kathryn Clear, Westford School Committee

        I wanted to provide some clarification and additional context regarding two recent statements in your IZON newsletter— one about the district hiring a full-time school psychologist instead of continuing with contracted services, and another about class-size priorities heading into FY27 and beyond. Because these topics involve legal requirements, educational practice, and budget considerations, I thought it would be helpful to clarify these points.

           A school psychologist is not an optional or add-on role — it is a required part of how a public school district stays in compliance with state and federal special education law. School psychologists conduct student evaluations, participate in eligibility determinations, support the IEP process, and help ensure that mandated timelines and documentation requirements are met. These evaluations are legal obligations, and districts must complete them within strict timelines. If we cannot meet those timelines with in-district staff, we are required to contract the work externally.     

       During the last school year, because our existing school psychologists were at full caseload capacity, the district relied on contracted external evaluators to maintain compliance with evaluation and IEP timelines. The cost of those contracted services totaled approximately $133,525. Contracted evaluations are billed at significantly higher per evaluation rates than work completed by in-district staff. Adding a full-time school psychologist is a cost-control and compliance measure. Bringing this work in-house reduces reliance on higher-cost contractors, improves scheduling and continuity for students and families, and helps ensure the district consistently meets legal timelines. It’s also important to note that this is not an additional net new position added on top of the budget. Due to enrollment driven staffing reductions, one teaching position is being eliminated elsewhere, and it appears to coincide with a retirement. That creates sufficient budget capacity to cover the typical $70,000 salary for a school psychologist without increasing overall staffing costs.  Also, one other point to note regarding class-size priorities for FY27 and beyond. The newsletter mentioned that the district is working toward a maximum class size of 15 students in grades Pre-K through third grade. That figure reflects what some research describes as an ideal instructional environment, but it is not the class-size standard the school district is budgeting for or planning on staffing. Westford’s current planning ranges are closer to about 18 students per class in grades K–2 and around 22 students per class in grades 3–5. These targets balance educational best practice and budget constraints. Projected class sizes for next year — based on current enrollment data — are generally aligned to those ranges, with normal variation by grade and building. In short, both the psychologist staffing decision and class size planning reflect efforts to meet legal obligations, support student learning, manage resources, and be fiscally responsible. I hope this added context is helpful as Westford continues through the budget process and the town votes on the budget at our annual town meeting in March. Kind Regards Kathryn Clear Chair, School Committee.

 Reader Comments

 IZON Reader From Nabnasset Writes:

 MONEY ISN’T EVERYTHING WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION

 Increasing Bond Debt Presents Westford With Difficult Choices For The Future                                                    

    The teacher’s union NEVER has enough money, it’s the same sad story for 30+ years I’ve been in town. Do what everyone else does, cut back and figure it out. Why did the town pass the 32 million dollar library project? What a waste of money. (I know it’s a capital expenditure with the state funding part of it), but we still have to pay the bond off in future years and free money from the state is no reason for us to blow 16 million dollars. Wait until all those approved capital project costs really start kicking in over the next 5 years) Nobody saw the pending cost increases coming post COVID? right. I have little empathy for the liberals who run this town. Find the money elsewhere and cut funding as needed. They just increased all our housing valuations for our next tax bill, a classic work around to a “no” vote on the 2.5% override last year……. and now we’re paying for trash pickup starting in June. Westford school systems are still ranked 14th in the state overall.

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 Reader Comment:  Precinct 3

 HOW A ABOUT A FREE MARKET SOLUTION TO WESTFORD’S FISCAL WOES

       As I managed hundreds of people globally … when coming to me with a problem I would always respond by asking them what their solution would be …. In this case and in my world …. increased taxes ( I need more money) was NOT an answer. I sort of politely would advise them to figure it out …. Most eventually did.  We need Management not political hacks running our once lovely little town… and state!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO ALL !