March 5, 2025 Budget Subcommittee Meeting
Weymouth School Committee
Budget Sub-Committee with Full School Committee
Adams Library Conference Room | 89 Middle Street, Weymouth
March 5, 2025 | 6:00 p.m
Agenda
- Call to Order 6:00 pm
- Grants & Gifts
- Audits & Reports
- Athletics Budget Update
- Athletics Budget Update
- Contracts & Procurement
- FY26 Budget Planning
- Fee Cycle Review
- Rates Update
- Extended School Year Programs
- Substitute
- Athletics event coverage
- Pre Budget Hearing review
- 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 5, 2025 | 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, Principal Dolan, AD O’Leary
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm
Tonight's meeting is being recorded.
Grants & Gifts
Assistant Curriculum Director of Counseling Brynn Cooper and the grants department applied for a $55K Safe and Healthy Learning Environment grant. Early approval is for $69,931. Funds will be used to train staff for teen mental health first aid and need to be spent by 6/30/25. More information will be reported upon official approval.
Questions have been received regarding IDEA & ESSA entitlement grants. Anticipation is for FY26 funding to be 5-10% less than previous years due to the federal fiscal climate. Adjustments are made accordingly. Allocations will be known in mid July. Some staff are funded by grants and will be absorbed into operating if necessary. Positions are protected by the collective bargaining agreement.
The district is working with the IRS to obtain documentation to receive the Murray Family GofundMe donation; could take up to 14 days. The Murray Family will be present at the March 27, 2025 school committee meeting. Even though accepted by the school committee, the district is working with town legal to see if the gift shall go before Town Council.
Audits & Reports
Brian Connolly performed an internal audit of the current fiscal year. Documentation for payroll, expenses, contracts, revolving funds, and assets were examined. Determination has no findings and a clear audit. Thanks and appreciation were expressed to Alyssa Bosse for her cooperation and timely provision of documentation.
The School department in working with Parks & Rec are moving forward with the new softball scoreboard at the highschool. Now that the ground is softening, trenching may begin for electrical work. Dig Safe and the Town Wire inspector have been contacted. The contract is being finalized; discount received from the MHEC consortium. Subsequent replacement of the stadium scoreboard will take place in the summer/fall. Town Capital appropriation was received of $280K for scoreboards, fencing, backstop, and for work to ready for installations. The first softball game is April 2. Work will not disrupt the game schedule. Disappointment was expressed that the installation of the softball scoreboard was not completed prior to the season starting. Community sponsorship opportunities were suggested.
-Athletics Budget Update
Principal Dolan gave an overview of Middle School Athletics (attached to these minutes). As this is the last year of town funding middle school athletics for coach stipends, buses, officials, and uniforms a plan is needed for 2025-26 middle school athletics. The proposal is for competitive sports: Fall Boys/Girls Cross Country, Winter Boys/Girls Basketball, Spring Boys/Girls Tracks at a cost of $31,109. Extra intramurals will be offered; Tennis, Volleyball, Unified Basketball, Wrestling, Strength & Conditioning, Soccer, Field Hockey, or Flag Football (Stipend Total ~$10K).
Disappointment was expressed that Unified sports is intramural and not competitive, that research shall be done to investigate opportunities and be creative. It was shared that middle school stipends have to be refreshed at the next bargaining session for the new contract. It was stated that the contract should not be a reason to hold back; that the union is agreeable to meet for a quick conversation regarding stipends for unified sports. Suggestion of using time cards was made.
AD O’Leary gave an overview of the FY26 proposed athletics budget (attached to these minutes). Projections of user fee revenue is based on current user fees (without an increase). Projected revenue of user fees and gate fees is $279,550. Projected expenses, including stipends, transportation, officials, game workers, equipment, dues, rentals, and maintenance total $849,686.55-including the proposed $56K increase and middle school athletics cost. Overhead (AD, Admin assistant, Athletic trainer salary) is $253,248.45 (p. 40 of preliminary budget book). Accounting for revenue expense, a surplus of 16,921.70 is anticipated.
Extreme confusion by committee members over the presentation of proposed budget deductions was expressed. Disappointment in lack of information being provided in 1 place was shared. If a surplus is expected with current user fee amounts, opinion was shared not to increase user fees for FY26. Administration advised that they air on the side of caution and remain conservative for FY26. Fluctuation of sport participation from year to year and collections of outstanding fees, waivers, and Dreamcathcher was touched upon.
Extensive committee/community conversation and questions were posed on restructuring the spreadsheet so that it is easier to understand and comprehend. Frustration of how complicated, incomplete the presentation was and lack of historical data being available as well as all information being in 1 place was raised again. Lack of collaboration with boosters was voiced. The athletics subcommittee is meeting March 25, 2025 and boosters and community sponsorship will be discussed. It was suggested that a school committee goal be that all presentations be formatted the same so that trends can be identified. Lack of confidence voting the athletics budget was shared.
It was confirmed that the committee votes (March 27) the whole school budget not pieces of it. Historical data on revenue/expense, waivers, being in 1 presentation was requested by the committee of the AD.
Contracts & Procurement
The School Department is seeking approval from Town Council for a 5 year contract for our existing ELA curriculum. A year 5 contract is being sought instead of a 1 or 3 year to accomplish $100K savings. Request was sent to attend the 3/17/25 meeting.
FY26 Budget Planning
Historically, operating can supplement activities with fees. It’s tough to justify continuing to supplement activities when cutting almost $2M from the budget. In an effort to balance the budget and offset the shortfall, administration is recommending a 5% increase of fees across the board. Yielding $120K. Fees are reviewed each year and voted upon in May. Some districts are doubling fees. To be prudent and soften the blow for families, gradual increase is being proposed.
Discussion of athletic and childcare JECC/Adams EEC increased fees was had. It was stated that the athletic presentation demonstrated there is a slight projection for surplus using the current fees and that athletic fees should remain unchanged. Public vs. private childcare, length of day and services (OT/PT/Speech) provided were talked through. Adams EEC is not eligible for the C3 grant and teachers are DESE certified.
Creative ways to generate revenue and sponsorship banners were mentioned. Athletics sub committee can discuss at the next meeting, 3/2/425.
The school department received $45per hour for custodial cost for Chapman theatre rental. Theatre and planetarium programming is managed by Donnie Norton. Charging stations will begin charging July 1 (previously grant funded).
Beyond work day and summer ESY rates were summarized. Rates will be increased 2.5%, in line with CBAs. Rates with asterisk are for non union employees. Sub rates as well as athletic game coverage rates were also reviewed. Softball scoreboard worker will be added. These will be voted upon in May.
-Level Service Budget Draft Review
Assistant Superintendent Smith summarized the FY26 budget proposal. The FY26 budget ask is $92,079,118, a 5.27% increase over FY25. In preparation of not receiving the 5.27% increase a plan is needed for the ~$1.9M (2.25%) shortfall; cuts, increased fees (5%) and responsible use of 1 time funds will be performed.
Reductions would include: 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).
Public hearing for the budget will be 3/13/25, school committee vote on the budget will be 3/27/25 and The School Department will present the budget to Town Council on 5/13/25. Consensus was reached to cancel the 3/19/25.
The Superintendent expressed thanks and appreciation to Assistant Superintendent Smith, Ms. Bosse and Mr. Burm for their work in addressing the budget and being transparent and communicative; much different than last year.
Committee/Community Comment:
Discussion of Childcare fees was discussed and differences between public and private care was talked over. Plea was made to not raise fees. It was shared that 5% cost covers the cost of the Adams EEC program (staffing COLAs).
A parent shared that parents would pay for their students to play sports and suggested a chapman booster program. Difference in participant of 1250 athletes to 2500-2600 STEAM students was made.
Suggestion was made for the school department budget ask be exactly for what is needed.
Public hearing will be 3/13/25 at the school committee meeting.
The Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm on the motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw seconded by Mrs. Nardone. Motion passed unanimously.