District allocates $600K to increase school choice student enrollment

The Mendon-Upton Regional School District held an Open Budget Hearing on March 10, 2025, to discuss the financial outlook and budget allocations for the upcoming school year. The meeting focused on the district's funding sources, staffing decisions, and the implications of school choice enrollment.

The discussion began with an overview of how the district utilized its funds over the past year. Officials clarified that no funds were allocated for staffing layoffs; instead, the budget was directed towards one-time purchases and facility upgrades. Notable improvements included flooring renovations at Misco and minor enhancements at the high school. The only staffing change mentioned was the phased-in hiring of an English language teacher over three years, which was deemed necessary to meet additional educational needs.

A key point of discussion arose regarding the $600,000 increase in school choice funding. A teacher from Misco, Bob Clark, inquired about the number of additional school choice students this increase would represent and how they would be allocated within the district. The district responded that the $600,000 was derived from savings accumulated over the past five to six years, rather than from the upcoming year's school choice allocation.

The district provided specific enrollment figures, noting an increase in school choice students from 130 in FY '23 to 174 in FY '25. This growth reflects a recovery from a decline experienced during the pandemic. The district aims to maintain a balance in school choice enrollment, particularly at Memorial, where no openings have been available in recent years due to higher overall enrollment.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue monitoring school choice numbers and to ensure that the district can accommodate both incoming students and its own enrollment needs. The discussions highlighted the district's careful financial planning and its focus on maintaining educational standards amid changing enrollment dynamics.