March 19, 2025 Budget Subcommittee Meeting
Weymouth School Committee
Budget Sub-Committee with Full School Committee
Adams Library Conference Room | 89 Middle Street, Weymouth
March 19, 2025 | 6:00 p.m
Agenda
- Call to Order 6:00 pm
- FY26 Operating Budget Request & Supplemental Needs List
- 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
March 19, 2025 | 6:00 p.m
Members In Attendance: Danielle Graziano (Chair), Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw, Tracey Nardone
Members also present: Mary-Ellen Devine, Dana Scott, Mayor Hedlund
Also Present: Melanie Curtin, Superintendent; Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent
The meeting was called to order at 6:01pm
Tonight's meeting is being recorded.
FY26 Operating Budget Request & Supplemental Needs List
Mayor Hedlund and Chief of Staff Langill were welcomed to the meeting.
At the request of the school committee after the budget hearing on March 13, the FY26 budget is being brought back for further discussion and review at tonight's reinstated meeting.
Assistant Superintendent Smith and Superintendent Curtin reviewed the budget factors for FY26; end of ESSER funding, growing needs of students, inflation (utilities, maintenance, transportation), and declining revenues. The full school operating budget being sent to town is for $92,079,118 which is an increase of 5.27% over FY25. Included in the budget submission is level service and compliance needs (added during the 2024-25 school year) as well as for high priority needs ($399,312 for compliance and safety) and transportation cost impact to circuit breaker (using funds for the first time). Prioritized needs consist of 10 positions=elementary teachers, special education teachers, school adjustment counselors, and a full time BCBA. The Background of the budget process (year long process consisting of working with cost centers, listening to staff, budget hearings, school committee budget presentations, budget sub, and collaborating with the Town) was provided.
Being realistic and during these times of economic uncertainty (declining revenues), there could be a potential shortfall of $1.9M. If the revenues can not support the $92M ask the administration is being proactive with planning for a balanced budget for a sustainable future. Addressing the shortfall could potentially mean a reduction of 26 positions. The needs list and future staffing needs were summarized. Thoughtfully and slowly adding back into the budget what is needed (or previously lost) builds a balanced and sustainable budget.
Assistant Superintendent Smith and Superintendent Curtin turned the floor over to Chief of Staff Langill who have came from a department head meeting discussing the reality of the budget.
Needing to file a balanced budget by April 17, Chief of Staff Langill explained that there are two sides to the budget, the revenue and service side. He summarized where the town is (actual) and projected to be considering state, federal funding as well as tax levy and new growth. New growth defined as the tax value of new construction (~$2M). He shared that departments budgets take into account contractual obligations and are submitted with needs beyond the budget (either additional or underfunded). Projected increase of 3.8% was accounting for 2.5% levy limit, real estate taxes and new growth was given. It was stated that 3.8% is reasonable municipal budget growth.
Cherry Sheet-state aid of Revenue and Assessments was outlined. With the Governor’s budget (released in January-gives a sneak peek of the following year) it is uncertain if the Charter School reimbursement and sending tuition (net increase of $400K), Veteran Benefits, and Blind/Elderly Abatement projection will change. In building the budget, the Chief of Staff is looking at FY25, projecting for FY26 and planning for FY27 (looks as though it could be a difficult year).
Mayor Hedlund shared that in his 21 years of experience in the State House, only 1 year was lower than the Governor’s original submitted budget. In talking with Senator O’Connor the Governor’s budget is usually baseline. The states budget process and the schools budget process run concurrently. Chapter 70 funding was talked through.
Budgeted local receipts/transfer revenue for FY26 is projected at -3.2%. Contributing factors include decreasing building permit revenue (FY26 highest in last 9), No ARPA funds, adjusting other revenue to match actual revenue (net decrease), increasing department user fees (e.g. trash collection) and an increase in motor vehicle excise.
Change in budgeted revenue was summarized. Projected revenue is at 2.8% (tax levy at 3.8% increase, local receipts/transfers at -3.2%, state aid at 2%, operating revenue at 2.6 %)
The Chief of Staff gave an overview of budgeted expenses (e.g. health insurance). There is an estimated budget gap of $1.7M which potentially could be closed if there is an increase to the projections for New Growth-Local Aid. Additional needs not included in the budget gap include snow/ice removal, OT for the fire department (between $700K-1M), OT for other departments, increased utility costs, contract bargaining agreements, vehicle maintenance, and unemployment. Other departments have additional operating needs/wants; Pond Meadow Park, Town Clerk, Building & Liability Insurance, Library, DPW, Debt Service. With the tighter budget, free cash will be the lowest in 4 years and ‘safety net’ for one time budget shortfalls is gone.
Examples of how the Town and Town Council support the school department was recapped: the operating budget has increased $25.5M (4.6% average annual increase-41% over last 9 years), increase in school staff, $1.33M ARPA funding (nurse, adjustment counselors, security, middle school sport fees, modular classrooms), Capital funding of $8.9M (chromebooks, curriculum, CTE, vehicles, field improvements, modular classrooms), Adams classroom renovation, $10M bonding for Chapman and debt exclusion override.
It was reiterated that 3.8% growth is healthy for a municipal budget and building a balanced budget that is sustainable is fiscally responsible.
Committee/Community discussion
Pond Meadow is run by a commission with operating and capital funds.
New growth as well as debt exclusion and override was discussed. Prop 2 ½ is different as it is temporary (until the bond is paid) where an override is permanent.
Chapter 70 funding and the complicated formula and net school spending was analyzed. Worry was expressed for the state budget ballooning and decreased state aid to schools.
The needs list will accompany the school budget submission to the Mayor's office on March 28 after the school committee vote March 27, 2025.
Community involvement and advocacy for school committee members, parents, and staff to write local/state senators and speaker of the house was suggested. Suggestion of a template being distributed was made.
Thanks was expressed for listening and reinstating this budget meeting as well as for the Mayor and Chief of Staff attending. Suggestion was made for this meeting to happen next year as well; that it was tremendously helpful and provided clarity. Excitement was expressed for the return of the needs list as it educates the community on what is required to accurately provide students with a superior education.
It was shared that infrastructure is paramount in supporting schools and department relations are symbiotic. Weymouth constituents may have different priorities for the town's budget. Other departments are building budgets in this difficult time (Fire, Police, DPW, etc.) as well. Encouragement for community members to attend the annual town meeting onMay 19 was shared.
Community members advocated for a school budget which accurately reflects the needs of students. It was mentioned that staff has increased over the years while enrollments have decreased.
Comment was made that there is confidence with the leaders in place and are being trusted to guide the budget process.
Another community comment was made that the district should not be just satisfied with baseline and that level service is misleading as it doesn’t include positions cut in the previous year.
Plea was made for the STEAM program to return.
It was confirmed that Weymouth does not participate in School Choice however does have to fund the tuition for Weymout students (Parent Choice) who choose to attend school in other districts.
Thanks and appreciation was expressed to the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent for their efforts, collaboration, communication, and transparency.
The Meeting adjourned at 8:20pm on the motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw seconded by Mrs. Nardone. Motion passed unanimously.