November 12, 2025 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
November 12, 2025 | 6:00 p.m
Revised Agenda
- Call to Order 6:00 pm
- Grants & Gifts
- Athletics Sponsorship Program
- Audits & Reports
- FY23 End of Year Report AUP
- Financial Assistance Form
- Contracts & Procurement
- FY26
- Projection
- New Staffing Requests
- FY27 Budget Planning
- Updates - OSD Rate, Advocacy and Grants
- Per Pupil Expenditure/NSS
- Forecast
- 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
WEYMOUTH BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE with Full School Committee
Adams Library | 89 Middle St., Weymouth
November 12, 2025 | 6:00 p.m
Adams Library | 89 Middle St., Weymouth
November 12, 2025 | 6:00 p.m
Members In Attendance: Danielle Graziano (Chair)
Members also present: Mary-Ellen Devine, Tracey Nardone, Kelly McClean
Also Present: Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent, Melanie Curtin, Superintendent
The meeting was called to order at 6:04pm
Tonight's meeting is being recorded via Zoom Webinar
Grants & Gifts
Lindsey Jacobs has applied for grant for Support Implementing of Updated Regulations Regarding Time-Out Practices. The application is due 11/13/25 and award date is to be determined. The grant will help to collaborate problem solving of dysregulated students in TLC programs at Seach, Pingree and at the middle and high school. The district applied for and was denied this grant last year.
An update on fair share earmark grants was given. Fair share has funded the universal meal program as well as circuit breaker supplements.
-Earmark for CTE is not less than $300K and may be used for materials, tools, equipment, technology and educational resources.
-WPS will be the sponsoring district for the Free Period grant-$750K, which provides feminine hygiene products in public school buildings. As the lead sponsor Weymouth Schools will be able to cover funding of 2 staff positions ($250K). Products are available at all schools in grades 3-12. Chapman offered this program last year.
-$10K to expand the CPR program-equipment and certification
-$10K to benefit Girls and Boys Rugby
Grants are reimbursable. As grant award notification is received updates will be shared.
Both internal audits for school vehicles and IT were successful.
Athletics Sponsorship Program
The banner program has raised ~$30K thus far. Athletic sub committee will be meeting 11/13/25.
Audits & Reports
FY23 End of Year Report AUP
CBIZ has completed the FY23 End of Year agreed upon procedures (attached to these minutes). It was noted that there has been turnover in external firms (Melanson & Heath, Melanson, Marcum, and now CBIZ) as well as internal town positions (CFO, Town Accountant). There were some findings which are being corrected with amendments. Amendments may be completed up to 2 years. Amendments have been filed for page 4, page 5-reallocation of funds between lines (update schedule 1), page 7-debt service updated and tuition cost reallocated to appropriate line.
It was confirmed that the bottom line number did not change-just a reallocation of funding within budget lines.
Town & School will collaborate on future audits.
Financial Assistance Form
To be more in line with school committee policy the building principal will determine whether a fee reduction or payment plan is appropriate for families not captured as part of state assistance (maybe a change in circumstance). Compliment was given on closing the gap of the collection of fees; increased expectation, process and communication.
Contracts & Procurement
The district will be contracting with Norfolk Kitchen and Bath for the cabinets and countertops for modular classrooms. Installation will be over a few Saturdays or over Winter Break.
FY27 Budget Planning
With the Government shutdown school meal funding is continuing through December. Looks as though the House will approve and the shutdown will end.
Budget projections are completed in Oct/Nov, February, and at the end of the year. As of now the FY26 budget is balanced even with the addition of $330K of compliance positions (above the approved FY26 budget), utilizing 1 time funding. These positions will be built into the FY27 level service budget. To move forward with additional compliance positions and defining mid year funding, positions may need to go before Town Council. Executive Director of Student Services, Meg Verlicco explained the need for an additional ABA in the K-2 classroom at Pingree. This position would then need to be built into the budget. A community member mentioned that mid year funding requests are common in other departments, ie) police, fire, DPW.
Increased needs of the district, ABA vs RBT, difference in cost between extra expense of ABA vs outside school placement, and crisis response teams (SIT) were discussed.
Superintendents are advocating to fully fund circuit breaker, increased fair share funds, and increased Chapter 70 funding. OSD has projected out of district tuition at an increase of 3.04% for FY27. Discussions over DESE setting out of district tuitions instead of OSD are also happening. The district is following procurement guidelines for best practices and price for special education transportation.
It was noted that FY27 Title I could be reduced by as much as 25%, and Title II, III, IV potentially could be eliminated which would impact the district ~$500K.
FY23 per pupil in district expenditure was $18,245.45, and $19,798.30 including out of district placements.
A community member shared that Weymouth trails behind the state average and neighboring districts.
For net school spending Weymouth is 245th out 319 districts at 111.4%. It was mentioned that there are flaws in the Chapter 70 calculation.
The five year forecast was reviewed. The forecast incorporates historical data and assumptions (contracts, CBA increases, cost of living, lanes and steps). Typically the school department over the last 8 yrs has received ~3.82% from town. It was reiterated that this is a projection and not what the actual numbers will be.
With the goal of being transparent and timely the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent Smith gave an overview of 3 budget scenarios (attached to these minutes); Level service at an increase of 4.24%, Strategic investment (aspirational) at an increase of 5.06%, and a reductions budget (1% increase) for FY27. The budget process is ongoing and will change as the school year progresses. It was mentioned that revenues for next year are being estimated at 1% and that the Reductions budget may be what FY27 looks like. It was noted that the district is making best efforts to relieve anxiety of staff and students and understands that livelihoods are at stake and transparency was reiterated.
Public Comment
In accordance with Policy BEDH
Community discussion:
Inquiry was made if there could be a budget between level service and strategic and if that budget could be like before when services were cut (STEAM, coaches, BCBA, Assistant Principals). Opinion was shared that appeals should be influenced by emotion vs logic. Inquiry was made whether Town budget management and school could meet prior to budget submission. It was reiterated that conversations between town and school are ongoing.
Comment was made that the reduction budget would be the likely scenario and to induce public advocacy advance notice and communication is key. It was mentioned that the strategic investment budget should address the 60% MCAS failure rate.
Thanks and appreciation were expressed to Mr. Smith and the Superintendent for their hard work and transparency.
The Meeting adjourned at 7:15pm on the motion by Mrs. Devine, seconded by Mrs. Nardone. Motion passed unanimously.