HomeMy WebLinkAboutSchool Comm 02/26/2026Approved 03-10-26
Mansfield School Committee Meeting
Attendance at Mansfield Tri-Board Meeting ,
Minutes for Thursday, February 26, 2026 " I i r 0
In Person & Virtual Meeting using GoToWebinar
An Open Meeting of the Mansfield School Committee was held in person and virtuaily on Yh`u�sday"\ ii.f• ,J
February 26, 2026 in room 3AB of the Town Hall. The open School Committee session called;was called
to order by Chair Jenn Walsh at 6:02 p.m.
Members Present:
Administration Present:
Jenn Walsh, Chair
Michelle McKeon, Superintendent
Jenifer Sellon, Vice Chair
Matthew Violette, Director of Finance and Operations
Lynn Cavicchi
Diane Ready
Members Absent:
Jamie Vitonis
None
Members of the Finance Committee, Select Board, School Committee and Budget Subcommittee
convened. The meeting was run by the Budget Subcommittee.
Joshua Reinke, Interim Town Manager, presented information on the current budget deficit and options
for reducing. The presentation included impact statements if the override is not passed. The key
suggestion this evening was to cover a $2M gap by issuing a debt exclusion rather than asking for an
override. The result to the budget would be the same in either scenario in that cuts could be reduced by
$2M. The difference is how the gap is covered. An override is a permanent tax increase where a debt
exclusion tax increase ends when the debt is paid off. In this case it would be approximately 8 —18
years. $2M of existing debt would be covered by the exclusion. It would be a place -holder, no other
debt would be added to this exclusion in the future. There was a lengthy discussion on the pros/cons of
each option as well as the best way to communicate to the public.
Superintendent Michelle McKeon and Finance/Operations Director Matt Violette presented some
information on the schools starting with a budget progression timeline which showed how various
factors such as health insurance and the governor's budget has impacted our budget plan along the way.
She also spoke of cash management processes that have been discussed to further cut the budget. The
Schools are prepared to present two budget options reflecting whether or not the override/debt
exclusion passes.
Public Speak: Steve Schoonveld, 21 Newton Street gave input on the presentations and information
provided this evening.
It was agreed that all parties would go back and create two budgets for Town Meeting (with or without
the $2M override/exclusion.) The School District will hold a Public Budget Hearing in March.
Any Items not anticipated 48 hours in advance: None
Motion to adjourn:
At 8:01p.m., Chair Walsh called for a motion to adjourn
Motion to adjourn by Jen Sellon / Lynn Cavicchi
Motion carries 5 - 0
Respectfully Submitted,
Diane Nugent, Administrative Assistant to
Superintendent & School Committee
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