January 14, 2026 Budget Subcommittee Meeting

Adams Library | 89 Middle St., Weymouth

January 14, 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, Tracey Nardone (via Zoom)

 

Also Present: Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent, Melanie Curtin, Superintendent

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The meeting was called to order at 6:01pm

Tonight's meeting is being recorded via Zoom Webinar

Grants & Gifts

Coaches Elizabeth Murray and Kristen Melanson applied for the Investigating History grant through DESE. It is a 3 year grant for students in 5th-7th grade. The second round will be in February with Teacher and Principal interviews. More information to come upon award notification.

Town Council voted the Alison Trust for CTE WHS students’ continuing ed and skills on November 24 and referred it to Budget Management who voted and accepted the gift on December 15. The town accountant has set up the gift account and the School Committee will vote at the next school committee meeting to accept the $100K gift. It will be managed by the high school and Principal Monahan.

The Free Period Fair Share Earmark of $750K has been completely expended and supplies have been distributed across the state.

Athletics Sponsorship Program

To date $38,300 has been raised. This is a standing agenda item.

Audits & Reports

The DESE audit of FY24 Title II, III and ESSER III reviewed internal controls and financial management that grants were compliant, expenditures were allowable and properly documented; there were no findings.

In light of Newton's reduction of private (not parochial) transportation within zones of the district, Weymouth reviewed bussing and Transportation. The 2 parochial school buses will be operated by Weymouth’s in house buses (2) instead of First Student. The First Student buses will be shifted back to the route fleet.

Contracts & Procurement

The First Student contract expires at the end of the school year. Mr. Smith will go before Town Council on 1/20 for approval of a 5 year contract (council approval required for contracts over 3 years). Once approved, an IFB will be used to obtain quotes.

FY27 Budget Planning

The Inspector General's Office did a follow up investigation of Brockton Public Schools, publicly available. It was stated that Weymouth’s financial controls (oversight, administration, as well as work with school committee, buildings, staff, and Mayor’s office) have contributed to building realistic budgets and projections.

The Mayor’s budget release has been delayed a couple of weeks. Weymouth was named a gateway city which may bring in additional state funding.

Ms. Powers has updated communication on the website regarding the FY27 budget and documents. Corresponding links may be found through the School Committee Budget Sub tab or the Finance & Operations Department tab.

Fees:

Fees are reviewed each year and sometimes are increased due to the cost of the program. With balancing the budget, expenses need to decrease and revenues increased. Scenarios of a 10%, 20%, 30% increase were presented. New fees for a non refundable bus fee, clubs/activities, theater and Weymouth Youth League are proposed. Fees will be discussed throughout the year and voted upon in Spring. Neighboring districts and a few DART district comparables were shared. Sharing the proposed increases is an effort to be transparent. Fee increase impact (financial yield) was reviewed.

The Chapman auditorium and planetarium rates are set by the Town and pay the schools the custodial rate.

A community member remarked at the level of transparency and incredible financial management. Suggestion was made to look at comparable districts which are economically and fiscally similar.

A 10 year operating budget analysis was shared detailing budget percent increases, student enrollments and staffing changes. It was reminded that positions for compliance reasons are added after the approved budget which need to be incorporated into the next years operating budget.

Health, Student Services, District Wide Instruction, Professional Development, Transportation, and Maintenance FY27 budget proposals were reviewed. Each FY27 budget reflects a 1% increase following the town directive.

There are 19 full time nurses including a one to one nurse and float and resource nurses. It was confirmed that there are enough nurses to cover the recommended ratios.

Special Education additional staffing requests include a full time speech pathologist and ABA. BCBA, ABA, and RBT roles were discussed. There are currently 7 BCBA’s in the district. If additional school adjustment counselors are needed they will be detailed on school proposals. Circuit Breaker reimbursement funding was touched upon.

The curriculum budget will be absorbing the Scholastic cost for Library 2 materials for FY27. A capital measure request will be submitted for $150K for curriculum. Stars Curriculum is covered under Title IIA.

The biggest drivers for the transportation budget or special education and yellow bus transportation. Any new transportation request (special education, McKinney Vento, etc) is being put out for quote to obtain the best daily rate.

Revolving funds from Champions and Food Service are being used to supplement utility costs. Opinion was shared that the mechanics do a fabulous job of maintaining vehicles.

It was stated that the budget affects everyone differently and is tough for everyone. Budget scenarios were reviewed. Level service budget is what is strived for each year. Indicators are leaning toward a reduced budget. With all town departments proposing budgets with the 1% increase directive, level service can not be obtained causing a $3.8M shortfall, with probable cuts. Contractual obligations and potential compliance needs are included in the $3.8M It was reiterated that the school department is part of the Weymouth family which includes Fire, Police, DPW, and other departments. The administration will advocate for the needs of the students.

It was shared that the Governor’s budget will be available publicly.

The District is currently negotiating 7 of 9 bargaining units.

Public Discussion

Hope was expressed that the administration will advocate for more money and educate town counterparts on what will be lost with decreased funding. It was also shared that smaller town departments have smaller budgets and a 1% decrease may not have as big an impact of lost services. Chapter 70 funding and per pupil expenditure statistics were passed out to the committee. It was stated that Weymouth lags in both areas. It was shared that cuts could be a significantly large number

The Meeting adjourned at 7:46pm on the motion by Ms. Graziano, seconded by Ms. Dickerman. Motion passed unanimously.