Gloucester High School faces major staff cuts amid $1.5M budget deficit

Superintendent Ben Lummis cut seven positions from Gloucester High School last week – one each from the English, Math, Science, History, and World Language departments – and two Elective positions in Business and Cabinet Design. There were also cuts at other schools including a music teacher at O’Maley Middle School and elementary teachers at Beeman. 

GHS Principal John Perella called the impact to the high school “significant.” 

“It impacts our ability to provide flexible electives, and unique opportunities for students,” Perella said. “It impacts class size, so every class will be a little larger, a little less individualized.  We have to get the things that need to be taught, but all the good stuff, the things that crystallize for students what they’re interested in and what they want to explore, gets pulled away.” 

The cuts are in response to a $1.5 million deficit to meet a level funded budget. 

Rachel Rex, president of the Union of Gloucester Educators called the cuts “devastating, heartbreaking, and alarming.”

“There is a significant population of students whose learning is going to be negatively impacted by this,” she said.  “I work very hard though to be positive, so I am hopeful that the mayor and City Council can find the money for the very least a level service budget for the district. I am concerned about these cuts district-wide.” 

Students responded to the news by hanging signs around school advocating for their teachers  Particularly, the cabinet design teacher Mr. Rose who has been at the school for 18 years, and  is being involuntarily transferred to middle school.  

“I think losing any teacher is a big blow to the school community,” Class of 2026 President Sofia Crivello said. “Especially because the teachers who are being cut have great relationships with the students here. I think it’s sad that we have to lose those relationships at a price that truly has nothing to do with the teachers themselves.”

The School Committee is opposed to the cuts and voted 6-1 for a level funded budget last week. Mayor Lundberg was the only no vote. 

“It’s refreshing to be so aligned with our School Committee and administration after being at odds for so long, Rex said. “The educators would welcome any support the community could give.” 

The School Committee will hold a public hearing on the budget Wednesday, May 13th at 6:00 p.m. in the Gloucester High School Library.  Public comments will be welcomed.

“It’s not a good thing at all, ” Principal Perella said. “It’s really difficult. This is a human operation and we deal with people.”