The Grafton School Committee convened on October 1, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including budget planning, a proposed funding article for school infrastructure, and upcoming collaborative meetings with the select board.

The meeting began with a motion to approve Article 11, which seeks to transfer $425,000 from free cash to fund designer services for the replacement of the roof at Grafton Middle School. The motion received unanimous support from the committee, with discussions indicating that a presentation would be made at the upcoming town meeting to address potential questions from the community.

Following this, the committee turned its attention to budget discussions. Kathleen, the budget coordinator, is scheduled to attend the next meeting on October 7 to present the proposed timeline for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The committee has already begun preliminary meetings with school principals to review building budgets, including staffing needs. The budget process will incorporate a performance-based approach, moving away from traditional methods, which was confirmed by committee members.

The committee also discussed an upcoming joint meeting with the select board, scheduled for October 28. This meeting aims to foster early collaboration on budget matters. The chair of the select board, Andy Jefferson, initiated this proactive approach, and the committee expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to engage in discussions ahead of the budget cycle.

Lastly, the superintendent provided updates on his goals for the year, noting adjustments based on previous feedback. The focus will remain on student learning and professional practice, with specific modifications made to align with evaluation standards.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the committee's commitment to addressing infrastructure needs, enhancing budget planning processes, and fostering collaboration with town officials. The next steps include finalizing the budget timeline and preparing for the joint meeting with the select board.