The Springfield School Committee approved multiple funding and program measures on June 19, including acceptance of a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) computer science professional development and devices grant, adoption of FY2026 tuition rates for public day and alternative school programs, and authorization to spend carryover and surplus funds listed in the meeting packet.

Superintendent Dr. Dennal and Pat Roach presented the items. The DESE computer science grant (listed as $20,000 in the meeting packet) will pay for up-to-date devices and professional development for computer science teachers; staff said the grant uses a “train the trainer” model so trained staff can provide ongoing instruction districtwide. The committee voted to accept the grant after subcommittee review.

The committee also approved the FY2026 tuition rates for public day and alternative programs; Pat Roach explained the district calculated the rates by dividing the actual program costs by the number of pupils in each program. A roll-call vote approved the listed rates.

On carryover funds, the committee authorized spending described in the packet labeled “carryover and other surplus funds” in the amount read into the record as “$2,000,000, $10,073.38.” (Transcript phraseology was that amount; staff materials show the line item as carryover/surplus funds for one-time purchases.) Committee members noted a portion of the funds is being used for academic items and also highlighted that uniforms for girls were included in the list — a change some members applauded as addressing past concerns.

All three items passed on roll calls after subcommittee review. Committee members emphasized that carryover funds are not “extra” money but unspent appropriations carried forward that the district is now authorizing to spend on identified needs.