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Select board moves $700,000 from special-education reserve; Milton schools outline next steps
Summary
At a Milton School Committee meeting, members discussed the select board's decision to transfer $700,000 from the special-education reserve into the town reserve to address a projected FY25 deficit, the limits on accessing that money, and proposed governance and consulting actions to reduce future fiscal volatility.
The Milton School Committee on Thursday reviewed a decision by the town's Select Board to transfer $700,000 from the district's special-education reserve account into a town reserve intended to shore up the current-year shortfall.
Committee members said the select board approved moving $700,000, not the $1 million the committee had requested, and they discussed procedures and risks tied to accessing those funds before the fiscal year ends.
Committee members said the action gives the town some flexibility to address an FY25 deficit but leaves $300,000 remaining in the special-education reserve. The committee's presentation to the select board had sought the full $1 million to provide more cushion; the select board's smaller transfer means the district may still face a funding gap if costs exceed the $700,000 figure.
The committee emphasized several procedural limits for using the transferred money: withdrawals from the town reserve require a warrant article and town-meeting approval, and the warrant committee must approve withdrawals from the reserve account. Committee members discussed the possibility of returning to town meeting or calling a special town meeting in June if additional funds are required beyond the $700,000 allocation.
Members asked for clarity on timing and certification of state aid that could affect FY25 and FY26. Staff said state funding decisions typically follow the fiscal-year budget process and may not be finalized until late June or July; if state funds are appropriated after July 1, they would be part of the FY26 budget cycle and not immediately available to cover FY25 deficits.
To reduce future risk and improve transparency, the committee discussed two governance steps recommended in conversations with the town administrator and select board: hiring an outside consultant to review town and school finance and administrative practices (estimated cost about $50,000), and reconstituting a joint finance committee composed of two school committee members, two select board members and two warrant committee members to hold monthly budget check-ins.
Committee members described the consultant's work as distinct from a traditional audit: it would focus on actionable recommendations for budgeting, HR and financial systems rather than financial statement auditing already underway. The committee also asked the town administrator to clarify the precise scope, timeline and costs for the consultant and to report back on how the select board expects to proceed.
Members repeatedly urged faster, clearer guidance from the town this week so the district can finalize staffing and budget actions ahead of April 29 deadlines and upcoming community meetings.
The committee closed the meeting after asking staff to pursue clarity with the town administrator and to present further detail to the committee as soon as possible.
