June 24, 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
June 24, 2026 | 6:00 p.m
Agenda
- Call to Order 6:00 pm
- Contracts & Procurement
- Student Transportation Update
- Student Transportation Update
- Prior Meeting Q & A’s
- Grants & Gifts
- Audits & Reports
- FY25 Audit
- FY26 Close & EOYR
- FY27 Budget Planning
- FY27 Updates
- Fee&Rates referral for SC vote on 6/25/26
- FY28 Budget Preparation Schedule
- Public Comment
Public Comment shall be in accordance with Policy BEDH
This meeting will be held in person, with remote access provided as a courtesy. Please note that technical issues with the virtual broadcast will not pause or cancel the meeting unless required by law.
Meeting Recording
Meeting Minutes
WEYMOUTH BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE with Full School Committee
Adams Library | 89 Middle St., Weymouth
June 24, 2026 | 6:00 p.m
Adams Library | 89 Middle St., Weymouth
June 24, 2026 | 6:00 p.m
Members In Attendance: Danielle Graziano (Chair)
Members also present: Mary-Ellen Devine, 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
Student Transportation Update
Assistant Superintendent Smith thanked Alyssa Bosse, Amy Mohr, Faith Howland, Robin Howard, CPO MacLeod, and Town Solicitor McLeod for their work and assistance in the process and for finalizing the re-bid. The transportation IFB rebid was opened at 10:01 on June 22. One bid was received from First Student (the apparent low bidder). NRT attended the opening and submitted a letter for ‘No Bid Response’ which Mr. Smith read into the record:
'This decision was not made lightly. We recognize the importance of student transportation and the significant responsibility associated with safely and reliably transporting the students of Weymouth each day. Given the timing of the anticipated award and the scale of the transportation program, we do not believe it would be in the best interest of the District, its students, families, or staff for NRT to pursue a startup of this magnitude within the limited implementation period available. As a company, we place a great deal of value on ensuring that any transportation program we undertake is positioned for long-term success from day one. In this instance, we believe the responsible decision is to step aside rather than risk a transition timeline that may not provide the level of preparation and support that the Weymouth community deserves.
While we will not be submitting a proposal for the regular education transportation contract, we want Weymouth Public Schools to know that NRT and the Beacon Mobility family of companies remain committed to supporting the District whenever and wherever we may be of assistance. This includes, but is not limited to, supplemental yellow school bus transportation, special education transportation services through Van Pool Transportation, coach bus transportation for school trips and events, and other transportation solutions that may arise throughout the school year.
Our team stands ready to assist the District should a need present itself in the future. We would welcome the opportunity to partner with Weymouth Public Schools in any capacity where our services can provide value and support to students and families.
We extend our best wishes to Weymouth Public Schools as you move forward with this procurement and wish the District, its students, families, and the successful transportation provider continued success in the years ahead.’
First Student is in the due diligence phase (responsive and responsible bidder). They will be submitting a performance bond and facility lease agreement. Town Council has approved the term of 5 years for the contract and the School Committee will vote to accept the contract at the meeting on June 25. The 5 year contract is at a sum of $16.6M, which is $500K (over the fi ve years) less than the initial bid. Any vendors are free to bid on the next contract in 5 years.
Grants & Gifts
The district will be receiving a $25K alignment grant for CTE; to help align DESE standards to the CTE curriculum. Mr. Depina, Assistant Superintendent Fratollilo, and Principal Monahan, Ms. Bosse will work together to expend by the end of September.
Audits & Reports
FY25 audits have been voted on by the Town Council however not published yet. There were no findings for the school district. Recommendation for timeline alignment, closing books by August 31 to tie into the end of the year report due September 30 (previously submitted in October) made.
FY27 Budget Planning
The Business Office and cost centers are in the process of closing POs, doing final closeouts and journal entries/transfers.
No further vote of the school budget is required. In addition to the operating budget there is $500K 1 time funding (measure 26-072) which will be used for special education positions added over the approved budget.
Thanks expressed to Senator O’Connor and Murphy for earmarks of additional funding of $25 per pupil expenditure (on top of the $150 from the state) as well as $200K for CTE equipment upgrades, supplies and materials. No updates on circuit breaker supplement as of yet.
Snow and ice funding, 1 time earmark funding, as well as Sen. O’Connor’s email regarding Senate Fair share budget bullet points which have been realized was discussed. Additional $25 per student could equate to additional $130-150K. It was reiterated that the $500K is strictly for added positions.
Changes in graduation requirements were discussed briefly. Students entering 6 and 7th grade next year will potentially be impacted.
FY27 Fees
ESY and substitute rates were reviewed. It was noted that hiring of ESY employees was based on FY26 rates however will be paid FY27 rates once voted. The effective date for substitute rates will be July 1, 2026 rather than September 1, 2026.
Activity Fee increases were talked about. Recommendation is mainly 10%, however for Hockey, transportation a 20% with a 5% increase for WECC tuition. It was confi rmed that an increase for transportation is needed as the budgeted amount is less than the fi rst year of the contract. The increase in fees will yield $96K (a position for a teacher and para).
Dreamcatcher provided $9K in the winter and $7500 for Spring and the Banner program $1800. It was reiterated and encouraged for families to work with building principals regarding fees so that there are no obstacles to participation. To pick up uniforms families will have to complete 1 of 3 steps; pay in full, arrange payment plan, paperwork for reduced or scholarship fee.
To align with Policy JQ-Student Fees, Fines and Charges, including athletics and activities/clubs, the fee increases will go before the school committee for vote.
Motion by Ms. Graziano seconded by Ms. McClean to refer Weymouth Public School Fees to the School Committee for vote. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting schedule for FY27 for FY28 planning was summarized. The first meeting will be in November, date to be determined. Appreciation for the thoughtful advocacy received was expressed and to avoid budget fatigue, the meetings' agendas will be ‘meatier.’
Timeline in conjunction with school improvement plans was discussed. School council meetings are quarterly and will have an opportunity to meet and form school budget prior to hearings (January). The planning is year-round; however, the substantive budget meetings begin in December.
It was reiterated that meeting dates could also be added and are subject to change.
Public Comment
There was none.
The Meeting adjourned at 6:38pm on the motion by Ms. Graziano, seconded by Ms. Lyons. Motion passed unanimously.