Parents of special education students are disputing claims by the Arlington School District on funding for special education programs. These parents claim that budget deficits are factored in the distribution of resources to these education programs, particularly when it comes to keeping children in or out of district. “It is really a question if the spirit of the law is being adhered to and in many cases it is not,” said Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Chair Michael Levi. Levi explained that the district does not have an appropriately tailored program for those special …

Editor's Note: This story is part of a nationwide Patch series probing the economy's effect on local schools. Even though the School Committee received approval from Town Meeting to use funds from FY2012 to fill the $1.5 million deficit gap in 2011, administrators are still facing a shortage for the 2012 fiscal year. Administrators say the budget deficit will not only affect sports, but also jobs and the quality of education. The Big Picture Earlier this month Town Manager Brian Sullivan informed residents that even with the $3.2 million in one-time funds, the town is facing a loss of …

The Arlington School District has created a new anti-bullying program in accordance with the anti-bullying state law Governor Deval Patrick enacted in May. Last week Assistant Superintendent Wallis Ramer and Director of Wellness and Counseling Cindy Bouvier presented the School Committee with a draft version of the plan, which outlines how the administration handles and prevents bullying. The program is currently in the public comment phase. In November, the district sought input from over 4,000 parents in a survey. Bouvier said that all students in grades K-12 have taken or are in the …

Editor's Note: This story is part of a nationwide Patch series probing the economy's effect on local schools. After sitting through two A.P. classes, three honors classes and band practice, there is only one thing on Arlington Senior Sam Mintz's mind: soccer. "On game days it's what gets me through the day, " he said. Being part of the varsity soccer team for the past three years has been the cornerstone of Mintz's time at Arlington High School, but for senior year, it's been different. Arlington High School increased athletics fees across the board for sports this year, due to budget cuts …

Editor's Note: This story is part of a nationwide Patch series probing the economy's effect on local schools. The Arlington School District opened the 2010 school year with a $1.5 million deficit hanging over the heads of administrators and teachers. The schools' budget deficit has impeded the town's budgetary processes; a special town meeting was called for November 15 to balance the school district's budget so that Arlington can set its tax rate for the next fiscal year.  The district uncovered the deficit in late August, close to the end of fiscal year 2010. School officials attribute the …