Board sets timeline for Financial Advisory Committee appointments; asks public to submit letters by Sept. 30

The SMS School Board and district administrators outlined a timeline for forming the district's Financial Advisory Committee (FACT) and asked interested community members to submit letters of interest by Sept. 30. Administrators said they met with moderator David Manuel over the summer to coordinate appointments; the district will collect letters and forward them to David, who will work with selectmen to appoint FACT members. The board and administration said the goal is to hold an introductory FACT meeting between Oct. 6 and Oct. 10, at which FACT members will review their responsibilities and select a chair. Board members and public commenters emphasized that FACT should be present at early budget discussions so members see the budget as it is first presented. A public commenter requested that FACT members sit in on the first meeting where the board hears the budget; administrators said the FACT will run parallel to the school board's review and that the district plans to include FACT in the November 12 meeting when the budget is presented to the board. Administrators asked residents to send letters of interest to Jennifer Scrafford or administrative contacts; the moderator will make final selections after the submission deadline.