Barnstable Town Council approves Schools, Airport, Police FY22 budgets
Bronwen Howells Walsh
The Barnstable Town Council on Thursday approved a $73,520,899 FY 22 public schools budget, a $1,047,000 increase over FY 21 that places increasing emphasis on mental health services and English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction.
"Schools are playing a greater role in delivering mental health services," Mayo-Brown said. "Counseling services are key and go hand in hand with academic services."
The district's largest spending increases 2017-20, according to Gareth Markwell, Barnstable's assistant Finance director: 35% increase in spending on English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction; 33% increase in guidance counselors; 32% increase for reading; 31% increase in art, applied technology and technology maintenance; a 27% increase in kindergarten instruction; and a 26% increase in math.