Milton School Committee approves $73.6M FY26 level-service budget, submits $68.2M non-override plan with wide-ranging cuts; fees and warrants approved

The Milton School Committee on March 5 approved the district's FY26 level-service budget of $73,573,914 and voted to submit a non-override budget of $68,233,608 — a fallback plan the committee described as "worst-case" if voters do not approve an operating override. The committee recorded unanimous votes to approve both the level-service request and the non-override submission.

The votes followed extensive discussion by committee members, district leaders and public commenters about the district's structural deficit and the consequences of failing to gain additional revenue. The district said the level-service request reflects updated accounting of actual FY24 expenditures and includes additions to meet state-mandated services such as increased English-language learner staffing and a revised ELA curriculum. Assistant Superintendent Katie Blake and finance staff presented the budget details and the list of non-override reductions.

The non-override plan lists dozens of proposed cuts and reductions the district says would be required to operate without override funding. Examples discussed in the meeting include eliminating the district family liaison position (estimated savings cited in discussion at roughly $434,000 in combined reductions), ending the NEC contract for a specialized program and redesigning that service in-district (presented as an estimated $350,000 contraction of contracted services), reductions or eliminations of many extracurricular stipends and clubs (approximately $200,000), cuts of teaching positions at the high school and middle school that would increase class sizes and reduce course offerings, reductions to preschool staffing (including changes to full-day positions), and a lower contribution to the district's circuit-breaker reserve (reduction from $2.8 million to $2.1 million was discussed). Committee members and staff repeatedly cautioned that the non-override list would have significant educational and staffing impacts and described it as a plan to show voters the consequences of rejecting an override.

Public commenters at the meeting raised concerns about budgeting and transparency. Carol Moon, a Milton resident, criticized line-item clarity in the budget and raised questions about the district's reserve use. Another resident, Mike Zulus of 69 Fairbanks Road, argued the town had not delayed prior overrides and urged voters to approve an override this year.

Committee members emphasized communication with residents and said the district had added budget documents, a FAQ, past audits and presentations to a public webpage; staff said they would continue adding answers received via a Google form. The committee also noted a joint statewide statement from the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Massachusetts Association of School Committees and Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials describing similar budget pressures across the Commonwealth.

Beyond the main budgets, the committee approved several time-sensitive fee changes and vendor warrants. The school committee voted to add a $50 per-family late registration fee for transportation (historical deadline June 30; staff estimated the fee would produce about $7,500 in additional revenue based on past late registrations). The committee approved updated summer program fees (Milton Summer Enrichment and beyond-the-bell academic offerings), authorized a 10% increase to Camp Cunningham fees and approved a fee schedule for a new Camp Tucker offering at Tucker School. Staff said Milton Summer Enrichment is self-sustaining; the beyond-the-bell academic program previously received ESSER funds and the committee recommended a fee this year because ESSER support is no longer available.

The committee also approved two vendor warrants: Warrant 33 for $597,264.66 (payable 02/27/25) and Warrant 31 for $652,972.45 (payable 02/13/25). Committee members said the vendor warrant approvals were routine payments for district operations.

Votes at a glance - Approve FY26 level-service budget: $73,573,914. Motion by Mark; second not specified. Vote: unanimous. - Submit FY26 non-override budget: $68,233,608 (worst-case reductions list). Motion to submit (language amended to "submit"); seconded. Vote: unanimous. - Approve proposed FY26 fees (transportation late fee, updated summer program fees, Camp Cunningham and Camp Tucker fees): motion moved and seconded. Vote: unanimous. - Approve vendor warrant 33: $597,264.66 (02/27/25). Motion moved and seconded. Vote: unanimous. - Approve vendor warrant 31: $652,972.45 (02/13/25). Motion moved and seconded. Vote: unanimous.

Committee members and staff said they will continue outreach to voters ahead of the April/May override votes and will post additional budget detail and Q&A documents online. Several members urged community volunteers to help with outreach and voter education to "get to yes" on the override and avoid the deep reductions listed in the non-override plan.