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Groton‑Dunstable committee holds E&D guidance at $400,000 and schedules mid‑cycle superintendent check‑in
Summary
Committee members agreed Feb. 5 to keep prior guidance to use $400,000 of E&D for the FY26 budget, and discussed scheduling a mid‑cycle review with Superintendent Dr. Bruno; the policy manual review is near completion.
The Groton‑Dunstable Regional School District School Committee on Feb. 5 decided to maintain earlier guidance that would use $400,000 of the district’s Excess and Deficiency (E&D) funds in the FY26 budget, citing uncertain revenue and near‑term capital needs.
Sherry, a district staff member, told the committee that the FY25 use of E&D was $500,000 and that the FY26 guidance to use $400,000 is intended to avoid funding recurring operating costs with one‑time money. She said consultants’ MEP findings include immediate efficiency and repair items that the district will likely ask the committee to appropriate E&D for in the coming months; she is preparing cost estimates and will return with specific appropriation requests.
Dr. Bruno, the superintendent, and committee members agreed the guidance should remain in place for now and be revisited if additional state funds or other revenue materialize before budget certification. The committee did not take a formal roll‑call vote on this guidance but several members voiced support for leaving the guidance unchanged and for revisiting it if circumstances change.
Separately, committee members agreed to schedule a mid‑cycle review with Superintendent Dr. Bruno. Rosanna summarized that the proposed check‑in would be a verbal conversation to allow the superintendent to report on progress toward the entry‑plan goals and student learning targets. Dr. Bruno said he is nearly finished with his entry‑plan findings report and feels positive about progress on measurable student learning goals, though he said the timeline for a multi‑year strategic plan is more aggressive than initially planned and will need adjustment because of budget work.
Committee chairing members said the mid‑cycle review is intended as an informational check‑in distinct from the formal end‑of‑year evaluation; the committee plans a workshop later in spring to orient newer members to the evaluation documents and schedule the formal review. Members emphasized the mid‑cycle check‑in is not intended to be a forum for harsh critique but an opportunity to align on progress and ask questions.
The committee also reported that its review of the policy manual, conducted with MASC (Massachusetts Association of School Committees), is complete and that final sections will come back for a first read when clean copies arrive from MASC. The business office and special education counsel reviewed relevant policies, and staff said the manual has been updated to align with state law and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements.
No formal votes were recorded on the superintendent check‑in scheduling or the policy manual reading; staff will follow up with timing and documentation at future meetings.
