[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6100140,"mediaKeyId","2813788-d19ec542ba6bd0927c73e478d157ebd3","parentId",2813788,"title","Finance committee reviews FY26 budget options: attrition cuts, program redesign and bus changes discussed","audioSeconds",861,"startMs",198000,"endMs",1059000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813788-d19ec542ba6bd0927c73e478d157ebd3&start=198&end=1059","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813788-d19ec542ba6bd0927c73e478d157ebd3/thumbnail_198000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6100140/Massachusetts/Finance-committee-reviews-FY26-budget-options-attrition-cuts-program-redesign-and-bus-changes-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100140-162fe7ed1f799a60335256d6700f0ccb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775920415&Signature=lnqhc5TFMBznZipOw~iu4iaqLb5x12fotKDX-DfFZTi6UsJ3DHKGdyUzCasAfBoxWg21ICEE8O96wBq6djALLmQtE8mOnyTGnCy5ooiiJ5jzIFaIndv82AHyLtNf~uMKyws~CARHsf6ZL1pcNJqlj~yT-nioh97NgfZxQkqqQwNkn6IgIlQTRvqmQCl5gd96wWdJOZf4tcBZHqZAShrNq9wRS8IHCvZ6vamCyHnZP-ghXoxjKMkcGse3cqmIvo3Cv1uN24xQAXY4Ofc6RUvZw73gFho3SFWoTdprkjnB0v4sx3F6OFP61-jhPcEHqVERCkYZWhKiS-7WbLvMkR5tSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Milton Public Schools, MA","date","2025-03-24T21:29:36Z","article","The Milton Finance Committee reviewed the school department’s FY2026 budget proposal, focusing on proposed reductions and contingency planning if an override does not pass.

Why it matters: The FY26 discussion covered staffing reductions tied to attrition, a redesign of an ABA-based partners program, potential changes to school bus service, and adjustments to fees — all of which could affect class sizes, special-education supports and family access to transportation and programs.

Enrollment and class-size planning
Committee members discussed kindergarten enrollment projections and the impact on staffing. Peter (staff member) said enrollment figures used to plan FY26 were lower than last year: “at this time last year, we were at about 350, and right now we're at 280 something.” He said registration interest indicates the district might land “about 310” when registration closes. The committee also noted the New England School Development Council enrollment-projection report (referred to at the meeting) supports the lower incoming‑kindergarten estimate.

Staff said current kindergarten classes this year typically run 22–24 students; the district estimated that, if two kindergarten teaching positions were not refilled through attrition, average class size would be roughly 21 based on the present projection. Committee members repeatedly warned they will monitor registration and add positions if enrollment increases.

Attrition-based position reductions
School staff and committee members clarified that the proposed reductions are being handled through attrition. Katie (staff member) said the plan would not remove existing employees from district payroll; instead, the district expects staff departures and would not refill corresponding positions. The proposal discussed removing two elementary (likely kindergarten) positions and one secondary position; committee members said the positions are identified as reductions in the plan, but that internal staff shifts are possible to meet grade-level needs.

Partners program redesign and special-education supports
Several members raised concerns about communication and impact on families related to a redesign of an ABA-based partners program delivered in partnership with an external vendor (identified in the meeting as NECC). Amanda (Finance Committee member) said parents received an email about the change with little detail and called the timing “sudden.” She asked what the term the committee used in the meeting — described repeatedly as “3 50” — meant in dollar and service terms.

Staff responded that the budget includes a built-in, estimated savings described in the meeting as “3 50.” They said the projected reduction arises partly because the district plans to hire some staff directly (Milton Public Schools employees) rather than contracting those roles, which reduces costs, and partly from lower projected contracted consultation services. Katie said staff would return to a future finance committee meeting with a dollar‑level breakdown and that administrators had met with parents to answer questions.

Transportation and fees
The proposal discussed eliminating one school bus from service; staff said the recent procurement review recommended using larger 77‑passenger vehicles that could preserve route capacity while reducing the number of buses. Staff cautioned, however, that even with larger vehicles the district might not be able to provide transportation to every family that requests it because state rules do not require transportation for some categories of students. The committee also discussed a proposed $45,000 increase in athletics fees and asked staff to present a fee chart and program-fee review for future meetings.

Override context and next steps
Committee members reviewed the recent Duxbury override vote as a comparative data point. Lizzie (Finance Committee member) said turnout and campaign activity appeared to affect that result; she noted Duxbury’s override failed by 193 votes and that turnout was about 30 percent. Committee members said they plan to continue public outreach, finalize presentations for the warrant committee and hold community briefings in the coming days.

Formal actions taken
The committee approved the finance committee meeting minutes for March 17 and March 19 in a roll-call vote (Amanda: yes; Selena: yes; Chair: yes). The committee then adjourned; that motion also passed on a roll-call vote.

What’s next: Staff said they will provide a more detailed breakdown of the program‑redesign savings and finalize fee proposals; the committee will present to the warrant committee and hold a community forum before the town’s Override vote process continues.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Milton School Finance Subcommittee - March 24th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Milton Finance Committee reviewed the school department’s FY2026 budget proposal, focusing on proposed reductions and contingency planning if an override does not pass.","taxTitle","Milton Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71056,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6100143,"Finance committee asks select board to reserve $1 million from FY25 to preserve flexibility",103,49000,152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813788-d19ec542ba6bd0927c73e478d157ebd3&start=49&end=152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813788-d19ec542ba6bd0927c73e478d157ebd3/thumbnail_49000.jpg","/articles/6100143/Massachusetts/Finance-committee-asks-select-board-to-reserve-1-million-from-FY25-to-preserve-flexibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100143-14749d0da865366b4ac4206a636381de/orig.mp4?Expires=1775920415&Signature=kLz0aZP5LYqHUrUrh5moVP2dbCzcuAxGBuNIyS9wHnvlIGrdF7cdY~MuG69xEEJ-WQAyVyIszTwFe~lnAWKLJ5aMNdv4CyekUe5OuLBliLaGIy9WylioTg2Cykb~Xv92KmMb2M5ewnE8MOm91cKEMKgsNZ7LX1Mazfo0rO3i6R~NI7YKWe1t4UX20kdXEz3f0XFSxcGChV3NpAUPXBTMmCxNmp6QM-6tlGtNWs13F5dXl3YgRZikrqoXu0lZg8Pqgksc7gfM8mbGBJYl8DyknbHLbFGTjlQ8Ms5gwaip~fu2KE9cEJtgpXrrg3DTcGHrk2-7JK5mBNnEORdWU0ydFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Milton Finance Committee asked the town Select Board to move $1 million from the school department’s FY2025 funds into a town reserve account to preserve flexibility while the district finalizes its year-end budget shortfall.

The request, described during the committee’s morning meeting, is intended “to provide as much flexibility” as the district finalizes the FY25 deficit and determines whether other committees need to approve transfers, the committee chair said. Committee members said they will do everything possible to reduce any shortfall below the requested amount.

Why it matters: Moving the money to a town reserve account would allow the school department to request funds later in the fiscal year if the final deficit is larger than presently expected. Committee members said they do not plan to spend the reserve immediately but want to preserve the option to draw on it if necessary.

Details and next steps: Committee members said the district shared its presentation and supporting materials with Nick Milano of the Select Board; Milano and the Select Board are scheduled to discuss the request at their next meeting. Committee members Lizzie (committee member) and the chair said they will attend the Select Board meeting to answer questions but that no formal presentation to the Select Board is planned at this time.

The committee framed the transfer as a temporary flexibility mechanism. The chair said the school committee could return later to request funds from the reserve account if needed. Committee members emphasized they will pursue measures to lower the year‑end deficit and return unused funds if the full $1 million is not required.

The committee did not take a formal vote during the discussion to move the funds; instead, members described the steps they have taken to share information with the Select Board and said they will attend that meeting to respond to questions.","The Milton Finance Committee asked the Select Board to transfer $1 million from the school department’s FY2025 funds into a town reserve account to preserve flexibility for the district as final deficit numbers are confirmed; select board will discuss the request at its next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

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Finance committee reviews FY26 budget options: attrition cuts, program redesign and bus changes discussed

Finance committee asks select board to reserve $1 million from FY25 to preserve flexibility