Behind every proposed cut contemplated by the School Committee is a story, and some of those tales are starting to emerge.
Students and parents have rallied behind embattled educators and administrators in recent days, talking about their value to the district and arguing that their positions should be kept.
Elizabeth Yokell, the School Department’s director of fine arts, is one administrator receiving that support.

B.M.C. Durfee High School staffers, students and parents have called on the School Committee to keep Yokell, saying she has taken over the duties of other staff members and is always willing to step in and help at Durfee when a substitute is needed, ensuring students wouldn’t miss a beat.
“If protecting students is your main concern, then deleting Mrs. Yokell from your hard drive should be aborted,” said Louie DaCunha, president of the B.M.C. Durfee Theater Company. “Her job is worth more than her salary.”

Yokell’s position has been discussed as a potential cut by the School Committee’s finance subcommittee. Mayor Robert Correia’s proposal to cut $1.7 million from the district budget would reduce her administrative status to department head.
Others said eliminating Yokell’s job would pave the way to remove all fine-arts related programs.
“If you get rid of Mrs. Yokell, you get rid of a caring adult and a safe haven,” said Durfee student Jessica Garcia.

Members of the Durfee Parent Advisory Council also delivered a petition to the School Committee, calling on the group to act on cuts suggested by Principal Ralph Olsen, including the elimination of the school’s business department.
“We employ the School Committee to empower school principals like Mr. Olsen to make the decisions,” Council President Jim Carey said. Durfee student Ryan Connearney also made a final plea to keep Cynthia Keene, executive assistant to the superintendent.

Connearney described Keene as “Clinton-esque” and said she helped him mature into an active student.
“There is no doubt she goes to work everyday for the benefit of the student,” Connearney said.