Sharon approves budget contingency planning after town trims school budget by $237,000

Sharon Public Schools Superintendent Peter reported May 7 that town meeting approved a finance committee‑recommended school budget approximately $237,000 below the district’s recommended figure, and the district has a contingency plan that would cut one grade‑2 teacher at East Elementary, eliminate one high‑school Spanish teacher and raise athletic and transportation fees if the reduced budget is finalized.

The reduction “was approximately $237,000 less than the district recommended budget,” Superintendent Peter said, outlining impacts the committee and administration had prepared for if that level of funding held.

Why it matters: The cuts would increase class sizes in some early‑elementary classes to about 22–23 students and would remove several high‑school Spanish sections, potentially preventing some students from taking a fourth year of Spanish. The committee also faces separate quarter‑three budget transfer requests that members said require additional explanation before a vote.

Peter said the planned contingency would leave grade‑2 classes at East with “22 to 23 students per class in grade 2 at East based upon current enrollment,” and that the Spanish program reductions would eliminate one Spanish teacher and “consequently 4 Spanish sections,” reducing Spanish‑1 and other elective capacity. He said the district will continue to monitor kindergarten and other enrollments through the summer, which could alter staffing needs.

Ellen Whittemore, the committee’s finance presenter, reviewed the quarter‑three financial report (through March 30), saying the district’s FY25 appropriated budget was $54,031,855. Year‑to‑date expenditures were reported at $33,239,863.19, with encumbrances of $19,000,001.74 and an unencumbered balance of $1,617,577.70. Whittemore explained that encumbrances and timing of invoices mean an unencumbered balance is not the same as an anticipated surplus.

Board members asked specific questions about line items. One adjustment noted in the packet added $75,000 to athletics for coaching positions and contracted services; Whittemore said she would provide the board with a detailed ledger showing where transfers were moved from and why. Several committee members asked for quarter‑by‑quarter adjusted amounts rather than year‑to‑date adjustments to make the changes clearer.

Because members requested more detailed backup on several large transfers, the committee postponed a vote on the quarter‑three transfers until the next meeting so staff could provide the requested line‑by‑line explanations. Chair Julie announced the transfer vote would be placed on the next agenda.

The superintendent also said the district has completed several hires and postings for next year, including a new principal at Cottage Elementary, a new Early Childhood Center director, an athletic director and other student‑services and administrative postings. He said fee increases and a presentation on athletics, activity and transportation fees will be on the May 21 agenda and will include background on what fees cover and available fee‑assistance resources.

Ending: The committee deferred formal transfer approvals to allow staff time to provide more granular documentation. The committee is scheduled to revisit transfers and vote on fee changes at its May 21 meeting; the district said it will continue to monitor enrollment through the summer and adjust staffing plans as enrollment information changes.