District reallocates specialist FTE to address student needs at Pine Hill

Westwood Public Schools presented a districtwide staffing allocation plan May 14 that shifts specialist resources toward Pine Hill in response to student‑need metrics.

Administrators said the analysis overlaid total enrollment, percentages of English language learners and students with IEPs, and universal screening results to generate a needs‑based allocation. The resulting plan moves roughly 0.5 FTE in literacy specialists and 0.5 FTE in math specialists to Pine Hill, offset by fractional reductions at Downey and Martha Jones. The district also adjusted literacy paraprofessional allocations to provide student‑facing support where needed.

The presenter emphasized feasibility constraints — travel time between schools and scheduling — and said the district converted turnover savings into an added 0.1 FTE in one area. The analysis will be repeated annually to ensure allocations remain aligned with student need.

Committee members asked whether the analysis had accounted for program shifts and whether such changes are likely to recur; staff said the review accounted for program moves and does not expect large year‑to‑year swings absent surprising enrollment changes.