February 26, 2025 Budget Subcommittee Meeting
Weymouth School Committee
Budget Sub-Committee with Full School Committee
Adams Library Conference Room | 89 Middle Street, Weymouth
February 26, 2025 | 6:00 p.m
Agenda
- Call to Order 6:00 pm
- Grants & Gifts
- Semi Annual Gift Report
- Chapman Band Gift
- Murphy School Playground
- Audits & Reports
- Chapter 70 Update
- Athletics Budget Update
- Contracts & Procurement
- FY26 Budget Planning
- Level Service Budget Draft Review
- Needs List
- Capital Plan
- Public Comment
Public Comment shall be in accordance with Policy BEDH
The three members of the Budget Subcommittee wish to encourage all members of the School Committee to attend and participate in budget discussions whenever they like. Because the Open Meeting Law requires that any meeting that includes a quorum of school committee members (4) deliberating on matters under their jurisdiction be posted as a meeting of the full committee, all Budget Subcommittee meetings are listed as full School Committee meetings.
Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, this meeting will be conducted in person and, as a courtesy, via remote means in accordance with applicable law. Please note that while an option for remote attendance and/or participation is being provided as a courtesy to the public and School Committee, the meeting/hearing will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast, unless required by law.
To join the meeting via Zoom by computer or internet-enabled phone:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82812956009?pwd=WaGMd5lvSPAmpwjl2vvHTpTrnWml21.1
Meeting Recording
Meeting Minutes
WEYMOUTH BUDGET SUB COMMITTEE with Full School Committee
Adams Library | 89 Middle St., Weymouth
February 26 | 6:00 p.m
Members In Attendance: Danielle Graziano (Chair), Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw, Tracey Nardone
Members also present: Mary-Ellen Devine, Dana Scott
Also Present: Melanie Curtin, Superintendent; Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent
The meeting was called to order at 6:01pm
Apologies were offered as the last meeting was not recorded due to cloud storage being full. It will be monitored.
Tonight's meeting is being recorded.
Grants & Gifts
Weymouth was found ineligible to receive a federal immigration grant for FY26. In FY25 Weymouth received $13K.
From 6:03-6:05pm the meeting was suspended due to a participant's inappropriate conduct.
Adhering to policies DB and KCD as well as MGL C.44 S. 3, School Committee votes to approve acceptance of gifts and fundraising that will alter school grounds.
-Semi Annual Gift Report
Ms. Harris presented gift summary reports:
-7/1/22-6/30/23-revised due to benevity. The monetary donations increased $1,218.38 to a total of $115,342.53. In kind donations received totaled $99,494.99. It was confirmed that the Adams gift account rolled over to Chapman and the donation
(from a trust) to Pingree is for PD and appropriate supplies. 106 Scholarships were awarded valued at $199,800.
-7/1/23-6/30/24-Monetary donations received=$46,632.06 and In Kind donations received=$74,475.05. 161 Scholarships awarded valuing $141,350.
-7/1/24-12/31/24-To date monetary donations received total $169,747.93 (WHS Cosmo donation + Chesna donation) and in-kind contributions-$36,048.97 (100 bikes donated to Seach).
Baystate Textile Program to date has saved 1237.94 tons of waste from landfills, $90,769 in waste pick up and earned $130,020.70. Corporate citizen bins at Station 1 & 5 pay for CPR certification.
It is at the discretion of the Principal how gift account funds are spent. Monetary donations are received by cash, check, eft, and in kind donations are items donated where value is assessed.
Thanks and appreciation was expressed to Ms. Harris for all of her hard work.
-Chapman Band Gift
The Murray Family created a GoFundMe to honor their son Jack who passed away. $106K has been raised for a multi year budget (11 yr) to provide access and opportunity to music for Chapman students. Funds will be tracked and reported out on. Possible uses are equipment, supply, instruments, band camps, band shirts, etc.
-Murphy School Playground
In line with policy KCD, a change to school grounds must have School Committee approval. Mr. Smith outlined the playground fundraising request to campaign on behalf of Murphy Principal Costello and Parent Council.
Audits & Reports
Brian Connolly performed an internal audit; sampling of payroll, contracts, expenses, PreSchool. Preliminary reporting is positive. More will be shared out at the next meeting.
-Chapter 70 Update
Assistant Superintendent Smith reviewed the allocations for FY26. Chapter 70 total is $30,364,583 and Charter Tuition Reimbursement is $1,075,967 with Charter School and School Choice Assessment at $5,88,401. Chapter 70 funding has increased $437K (.5% of budget).
Net school spending was discussed. The Town expends money on schools (SRO’s, treasurer & town accountant salary, maintenance, insurance benefits, etc.). In FY23 net school spending was at 111% (have to stay above 90%). It was shared that revenues for FY26 are estimated at 3%.
Formula for Chapter 70 includes foundation budget, property value, income, local contribution and minimum state aid.
-Athletics Budget Update
Unfortunately due to the boys hockey Championship AD O’Leary is not present to review actual expenses and FY26 budget increase. It was requested that Mr. O’Leary has a comprehensive and detailed plan and presentation for the next meeting (3/5/25) which justifies the FY26 $56K increase so that the committee has comfort in voting for the athletics budget. Preliminary budget book salaries (p.40) were reviewed. The presentation/document will be sent to the committee the day before the meeting.
Contracts & Procurement
The CTE Press Brake will be delivered Friday. A 5 year ELA continuation contract is being looked at. Town Council approval will be needed.
FY26 Budget Planning
-Capital Plan
The high priority needs were reviewed. The FY26 Capital list submitted to town is for Curriculum ($150K) and Chromebooks ($700K). There are no other pressing building needs at this time, however they are still on the capital list and will be reviewed. Maintenance is doing a great job of maintaining and upkeep of buildings.
-Level Service Budget Draft Review
Assistant Superintendent Smith and Superintendent Curtin reviewed budget factors, proposal ask, budget shortfall as well as a sustainability plan. Factors consist of end of ESSER funding, growing needs of students, rate of inflation, and declining revenues. In conversations with the Town, declining revenues can only support a 3% increase. Previous budgets received 3.8% increase. The FY26 budget ask is $92,079,118, a 5.27% increase; includes level service increase (contractual obligations), added FY25/26 compliance needs (which were not part of FY25 budget) as well as FY26 compliance needs, needs list, and transportation). Limited revenue increase for FY27 is projected.
A plan is needed to address the ~$1.9M (2.25%) shortfall if only a 3% increase is approved. Presentation attached to these minutes. Same approach used in FY25 (soft landing of fiscal cliff) will be used for FY26; cuts, increased fees (5%) and responsible use of 1 time funds.
To address reductions, the Executive Director of Elementary Ed. and Director Fine Arts positions will not be filled, Elementary Instructional Coaches (7) will be eliminated (they will fill other positions in the district), and approximately 20 full time secondary positions (grade 6-post grad) will be eliminated; class size would be increased, however content and programming will not be eliminated. More conversation with staff, union, and the Mayor will be had.
It was reiterated how difficult these decisions are as staff, careers, and livelihoods are being affected but the administration would like to be transparent and thoughtful about the process.
The next budget sub meeting will be 3/5/25, public hearing for the budget will be 3/13/25, school committee vote on the budget will be 3/2/25 and The School Department will present the budget to Town Council on 5/13/25.
-Needs List
The $399,312 of positions on the needs list are included in the $92M budget ask to Town. The list was made prior to where cutting the budget would be coming from.
Committee & Community Discussion:
Discussion of decreasing revenues (tax levy, new growth, local receipts) and miniscule aid received from the state was had.
It was remarked that educating the whole child and emphasizing enrichment doesn’t sound like a priority when positions are being cut. Cost of reimplementing the STEAM program was talked through. Disappointment and frustration was expressed for how students spend their time in the 5th specialist block. Obtaining more grant opportunities and sponsorship as well as a residency program was suggested. It was shared that this is a high priority and more information will become available on what is being offered and to hopefully align throughout all elementary schools. Cutting instructional coaches was talked over; they are integral to implementing and supporting the curriculum.
Johnson Boilers are still on the capital list. It is unknown at this time on what will happen with the building. The facilities sub committee will discuss.
Town Wide Parent Council will be making arrangements to meet with the Mayor and Chief of Staff as well as The Education Committee.
Lack of net school spending was weighed upon. It accounts for 1.4% of the budget. Chapter 70 is at $68 per student. Suggestion was made to update slides by animation and to break out non filling of positions so it’s easier to understand. The budget is preliminary until the school committee votes at which time it will be the proposed budget. The proposed budget will include circuit breaker, revolving, and grant balances. Hope was expressed that the athletics presentation at the next meeting will be complete, accurate and comprehensive. Publicizing a plan for the 5th specialist block for consistency was mentioned.
The presentation this evening will be reviewed at the 2/27/25 school committee meeting as well.
The Meeting adjourned at 8:29pm on the motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw seconded by Mrs. Nardone. Motion passed unanimously.