February 4, 2026 Budget Subcommittee Meeting
Weymouth School Committee
WEYMOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE WITH FULL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Adams Library Conference Room | 89 Middle Street, Weymouth
February 4, 2026 | 6:00 p.m
Agenda
- Call to Order 6:00 pm
- FY27 Budget Planning
- Review budget proposals for:
- WECC, Academy, Nash, Pingree, Talbot
- Hamilton, Murphy, Seach, Wessagusset
- Governor’s budget/Chapter 70
- Budget Update and Scenarios
- Review budget proposals for:
- Grants & Gifts
- Athletics Sponsorship Program
- Audits & Reports
- Contracts & Procurement
- 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/84836567522
Meeting Minutes
WEYMOUTH BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE with Full School Committee
Adams Library | 89 Middle St., Weymouth
February 4, 2025 | 6:00 p.m
Members In Attendance: Danielle Graziano (Chair)
Members also present: Mary-Ellen Devine, Tracey Nardone, Kelly McClean, Cindy Lyons, Ashley Dickerman
Also Present: Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent, Melanie Curtin, Superintendent
The meeting was called to order at 6:01pm
Tonight's meeting is being recorded via Zoom Webinar
All budget materials are posted on the website.
Grants & Gifts
DESE awarded WPS with a $28,415 grant for implementing updated timeout practices. Principal Doherty explained that collaborative problem-solving at Seach has begun with the help of Lindsey Jacobs and Joel Ristuccia. The program is piloting at Seach and Pingree. The grant will help train 6 teachers at each school (1 per grade plus 1 special education) who then will be able to train other staff on collaborative and proactive solutions for dysregulated behavior and trauma-informed practices. Ross Greene from Lives in the Balance will be consulting and providing training. Data will also be collected and shared, as well as progress monitoring, to DESE.
Athletics
The Chesna Soccer Jamboree, organized by Don Whitaker, yielded ~$10-12K donation to the athletic Department. Last year’s donation was $20K. www.weymouthschools.org
The Girls Athletic Fund Scholarship, organized by Kristin Woodbury and Carrie Palazzo, is ending, and remaining funds of $3K will go to WHS for scholarships of $500-$1K for girls playing sports in college.
Audits & Reports
A multi-function student activity bus has been purchased using earmark grant funds for the CTE program.
Town Council voted favorable action on measure 25-111, approving a 5-year contract for student transportation. First Student is the current vendor with the contract expiring 6/30/26. The IFB will be released at the end of February. A 5-year contract allows for better pricing; escalators each year will be in place for fuel.
FY27 Budget Planning
Elementary budgets are at an increase of 1%. Principals’ discretion to allocate or reallocate funds.
Principals Perez, Higgins, McDevitt, Ronan, Connelly-Day, Panetta, Costello, Doherty, and Jango reviewed FY27 requested and future positions.
Academy:
Future consideration for an Assistant Principal to help with teacher support, coaching, evaluations, supervision, and safety
Nash:
FY27 Grade 1 teacher for an added classroom and future consideration for an Assistant Principal
Pingree:
Future consideration for 2 Float ABA (Applied Behavior Analyst) to help with increasing needs of students, dysregulation and behavior, as well as data collection. The ABAs would fl oat between TLC and general education classrooms. Concern was expressed for the current Pingree BCBA traveling between 3 buildings.
Talbot:
Future consideration for a Building Sub to help with coverage during absences and IEP meetings, as well as an Assistant Principal to assist with the increased complex academic, social/emotional needs of students, as well as the addition of the RISE program.
Disagreement was expressed for the move and change in classes of RISE from Nash to Talbot, as well as for the means of how the change was communicated out and lack of discussion, in addition to notifi cation to families. A request was made to see the report and recommendations from the program evaluation performed by Ann Donovan. Concerns regarding student belonging and space across district schools were shared.
WECC:
Half-day programming will no longer be offered. Programming will mirror Kindergarten and be full day. Outpatient Speech services are being provided in the CFCE space. Services are collaborating with parents. 48% of WECC students received special education services.
Hamilton:
FY27 request for an ABA for the CEP program, proactive strategies for inclusion
Murphy:
In looking at benchmark data, future request for an interventionist to help in bridging math and reading gaps and help to support students and staff.
Seach:
Future requests for Kindergarten Transitional Resource Room Teacher and ESP to address and support increasing academic and behavioral need, implementing Tier 2 interventions. This new classroom would be an inclusive not a sub separate setting. Conversations will be ongoing on classroom structure, supports, interventions, collaborative practies.
Wessagusset:
In FY27 will reclassify 2 ESPs roles to become ABA roles for CEP to support the increase in this sub separate programming.
Assistant Superintendent Fratolillo explained the philosophy behind the change in the one to one device initiative for elementary students. Students in grades K-2 will have shared carts, and grades 3-5 will have room carts. This will help with engagement and behavior. Students will not be bringing devices home. Seach and Murphy are currently piloting and feedback has been positive. There will not be any impact to students with IEPs.
Hope was shared that Principals are asking for everything that they need even in these hard fi scal times. Concern was expressed for the size of the classes (class and ½) for specialists. Suggestion was made to add another column to the expense budgets of what Principals really need.
Public Comment:
-Mike Murphy, President WEA
Clarified that the one to one initiative at the WHS and Chapman will remain unchanged and shared his opinion that there’ll be extra time on copiers as teachers’ time to make copies.
-Scott Wegrzyn
Clarified that the $30K for Wessagusset ABAs is an increase of pay of $15K per ABA.
-Rachel Clark
Expressed support of another full-time BCBA to eliminate travel between 3 building. She also shared her hope that principals are asking for what their needs are and that they are being heard.
It was explained that the budget process starts with Principals meeting parent and school councils prior to building their budget.
-Alyssa Medeira
Inquired about fencing by the modular classroom at Wessagusset. Fencing will be installed in the Spring.
-Robin Duff
Commented on the aging buildings, space constraints, and the increased need of students, sharing that it’s not sustainable and the children of Weymouth deserve better. She expressed her support for a school budget that is proper and thoughtful with stability, support and resources for all students to be submitted.
A request was made by a member of the public for added security cameras at Hamilton by the modular classrooms.
-Samantha Lander
Requested a crossing guard at Nash and expressed concern for specialists’ class size.
-Keri MacCauley
Expressed disappointment and concern for safety when students are exiting and boarding vans at the back of WECC.
-Cara Willis
Shared that advocacy and awareness is a collective responsibility and requires the mayor and town council to engage meaningfully and collaboratively in a path forward.
It was shared that the committee is in constant contact with the town regarding the budget and working collaboratively with the Mayor and education committee. MSBA is releasing a report of MA school buildings surveyed and assessed.
Chapter 70:
The Governor released her $63B budget on 2/28, making modest commitments to education. Revenues from Fair Share millionaire's tax augment funding for Chapter 70, Universal meal program, and Circuit Breaker. This is the fi nal year of the Student Opportunity Act, under which Weymouth has received $0. Minimum aid per pupil is $75 from $30.
6 out of 7 districts (270 out of 319-85%) receive the minimum increase, which place burden on the local authority.
The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, along with other South Shore Superintendents, are advocating for Chapter 70 and formula change and Circuit Breaker funding increase. The Inspector General’s office is looking into private in-state tuitions as well as special education transportation.
At this point in the budget process, proposed FY27 state aid:
Chapter 70 increase to $75 per pupil
Tuition reimbursement-$235,428 (½ of what was received FY26)
Charter School Assessment of 456,000
Equaling a net increase from the state of $221,778 (.25% of FY26 school budget)
Legislation Proposed for 90% instead of 75% circuit breaker reimbursement and $180 for per pupil expenditure. The numbers for charter school students will be confirmed.
Superintendent Curtin shared that budget planning is a process and by being transparent the community is witness to the different scenarios and planning that needs to take place by the School Department. It was reiterated that the administration is aware, mindful, and thoughtful as livelihoods, staff, and families are affected. She thanked community members for attending and for their advocacy.
In the beginning of the process, a 1% increase was presented. This evening, 4 different budget scenarios were presented (attached to these minutes and posted on the website) reviewing a 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5.27% (level service) increase. Increase of 4%, 3%, 2% come with a reduction of $3M, $2M, $1M, affecting staffing, increased fees and reductions of electives and supports, security, as well as an increase in class size. It was shared that collective bargaining is underway and there are unknown figures to account for additionally. The proposed budget will go before the school committee and public hearing in March and will be presented to the Town Council on May 12, 2026.
A member shared her opinion that she would not be able to vote on the budget unless it’s line by line and knows where money is being spent. She encourages state and federal advocacy and collaboration with the Town Council and the education subcommittee. Hope was expressed for Gateway funding.
It was shared that the Town Council may only reduce the budget and not add to it.
The committee expressed thanks and appreciation for the community involvement, feedback, comments, and advocacy.
Public Comment
-Mike Murphy, WEA President
Reconfirmed that advocacy needs to be at the state level with Representative Murphy, Senator O’Connor and Speaker of the House Mariano. MTA is lobbying as well.
-Ashley Grass
Pointed out that there are unintended consequences and a true effect on day-to-day operations with a reduced budget.
-Gus Perez
Shared that Weymouth has a strong Mayoral system and expressed hope that the Mayor recognizes the issue and impact of a reduced school budget. He encouraged the community to be present, attentive and informed so that they may educate town councilors on informed realities of the budget and academic outcomes in Weymouth.
-Marybeth Shea
Shared her opinion to increase fees now as the schools have to look for revenue on their own and that collectively the community should not stand for a 1% increase.
It was shared that other town departments go through the same process however it is not as transparent. Opinion was shared that students shouldn’t have to pay to play but it is reality. Fees will be reviewed at the March 4 budget sub meeting
A community member suggested fees should be paid on a scale according to income.
The Meeting adjourned at 8:63pm on the motion by Ms. Graziano, seconded by Ms. Nardone. Motion passed unanimously.