During a recent school committee meeting in Duxbury, members discussed the ongoing financial challenges facing the district, particularly regarding full-day kindergarten funding and staffing levels. The committee acknowledged that they have been charging for full-day kindergarten, which has contributed to a significant balance of $1 million in their revolving account. However, concerns were raised about the sustainability of this funding model, especially in light of the potential loss of critical teaching positions.

Committee members emphasized that previous discussions about phasing out the kindergarten fees were consistently overshadowed by the need to maintain staffing levels. Each year, the prospect of reducing fees was met with the stark reality of potentially losing educators, which made it difficult to justify any changes to the current funding structure.

The committee is now proposing an 8.5% increase in funding for the upcoming year, framing it as a necessary adjustment to stabilize the operating budget. They expressed a desire to avoid future funding crises that could lead to further staff reductions, which could range from 18 to 24 positions if budget cuts are implemented. The committee believes that a one-time infusion of funds could help levelize the budget and prevent the need for recurring increases in fees or cuts to essential staff in subsequent years.

The discussions reflect a broader concern about balancing educational quality with financial constraints, as the committee seeks to navigate the complexities of funding while ensuring that critical educational positions remain intact.