During a recent school department budgetary meeting, officials presented their recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 25) budget, highlighting significant challenges anticipated for FY 26. The discussions underscored the need for a collaborative community effort to secure appropriate funding for the schools, particularly in light of the findings from the town manager's sustainable budget task force, which has been analyzing town finances for the past six months.

The school department outlined its budgetary needs, emphasizing that maintaining a level services budget for FY 25 is crucial for the district's stability. Key areas identified for future funding considerations include the implementation of universal free full-day kindergarten, curriculum and instructional needs, staffing levels and compensation, and the maintenance of aging facilities.

Officials presented two budget scenarios for FY 26: one reflecting the district's real needs and another that would involve significant reductions. They cautioned that the proposed reductions would have a detrimental impact on the school district, directly affecting students and staff support. The school department strongly advised against adopting the reduction scenarios, which they believe would undermine the progress made over the past five years.

The meeting also highlighted the community's strong support for its schools, as evidenced by a 2019 comprehensive town master plan where residents ranked the quality of the school system as a top priority. The school department aims to maintain its reputation for high-quality educational programs, including a nationally recognized music department and a robust athletic program, while navigating the fiscal realities ahead.

As the school department prepares to present its budget to the school committee, officials stressed the importance of clear communication and advocacy to ensure that the needs of the schools are understood by all stakeholders in the community.