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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Comm. 11/18/2025Approved 01-29-26 Budget subcommittee meeting minutes November 18, 2025 Superintendent's Office Attendees: Lynn Cavicchi, Jenn Walsh, Michelle McKeon, Amy Bright, Matt Violettq;'Oebbie Scott Called to order at 5:30 pm Approval of minutes Budget Subcommittee 09-23-25 Jen Sellon/ Lynn Cavicchi. Approved 2-0 Initial review of FY27 fees Matt Violette and Michelle McKeon updated the committee on the current fee proposal. QMS activity fees will increase as phase two of a proposal approved last year by the committee. Facilities Use fees for outside organizations will increase as phase two of a three-year plan approved last year. No additional increase recommended at this time. The district will revisit this if the override does not pass. If changes are needed, it was recommended that the district will do a comprehensive review, district comparison and market rates. Summer School Programs The district is currently watching expenses for summer school. Amy Bright noted that the district sent letters home to families earlier than in prior years which provides more time in the semester for grade improvement. Next month, district administration will review potential summer school numbers. The district is looking to overhaul the secondary summer school program and will present proposals at a February or March School Committee meeting. Then, the elementary summer school program will be reviewed. Several options are on the table. Initial review of the FY27 budget presentation The group reviewed the budget detail and presentation slides. Several suggestions to the presentation were made: • Include class size for elementary grades • Enlarge Note: FY27 CIP • Remove CIP details • Discussion of prepay Spec Ed tuition line and future expenses • Discussion of Chapter 70 additional funding. Superintendent will discuss with town officials • Review of Dart districts — per pupil and comparisons • Remove student teacher ratio N36 • Note that student enrollment numbers have stabilized • Amend presentation FAQs to include pages 40-45 for community meetings The group discussed an FY27 reduction budget as requested for the town budget subcommittee meeting. Potential points of discussion: • Staff reductions • Discussion of needs • Review of grant reductions Approved 01-29-26 Update on FY26 first quarter financials Matt Violette reviewed a summary of major cost centers, historical data, and the detailed report. This information will then be provided to the full committee. Discussion on school related questions from Fin Com sessions Fincom recently held public forum questions allowing community members to hear about the budget process and ask questions. As a follow up to that, the following questions were asked of the school department: Provide detail on the financial process. Discuss thoughts and options of the override. What is the strategy of our PAC groups? As applicable, these will be added to the presentation. Monitor job description The group reviewed the proposed new job description. This is part of the ongoing process to create job descriptions where none existed previously. The monitor position combines hall monitors, lunch and recess monitors. The thought is someone could be moved from one responsibility to another. This is ready for the full committee. Agenda for next meeting Budget reductions / secondary budget Other items It was requested that gift accounts and scholarship accounts be reviewed at the next meeting. Next meeting January 29, 2026 at 5:30 pm Adjourn at 6:30 pm