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.
The Barnstable Patriot
The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus on Friday honored Barnstable Police Patrol Officer Brian Morrison as a Black Leader in Massachusetts and John Reed as a local trailblazer during the 2021 Black Excellence on the Hill virtual event.
The annual event commemorates Black community leaders and trailblazers who are moving the Commonwealth forward in cities and towns across Massachusetts. Barnstable Town Council President Matt Levesque opened the March 4 council meeting by recognizing the two men.
Morrison joined the Barnstable Police in 1997 and has served as the department’s Youth and Community Officer since 2017, stationed at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center.
Last year, she drove Watson back and forth to her cancer treatments in Boston.
“She goes above and beyond with her generosity and time,” Watson said. “She just gives and never asks for anything.”
After retiring from nursing
two years ago, Durney said she had more time to volunteer in the community, including at the food pantry and thrift shop in Harwich. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she volunteered at the Hyannis West Elementary school as a mentor to young children. She also helps friends and neighbors in need with grocery shopping or a home-cooked meal.
“I just want to help people,” Durney said. “Especially this year.”