Milton School Committee approves level‑service budget, submits non‑override budget and OKs fee changes amid debate over cuts

Milton School Committee on March 5 approved a proposed FY26 level‑service budget of $73,573,914 and voted unanimously to submit a $68,233,608 non‑override budget to the town as the committee prepares for an upcoming override campaign.

The votes came after a public budget hearing and a long finance subcommittee discussion that laid out the district’s budget methodology, identified reductions and additions inside the level‑service request, and reviewed a list of specific cuts that would take effect if the community does not approve additional funding. Committee members also approved several time‑sensitive fees, among them a $50 per‑family late transportation registration fee, and voted to approve vendor warrants.

Why it matters: The committee framed the level‑service request to reflect actual FY24 expenditures and a set of required and mandated needs (English language learner staffing, curriculum work, special‑education reserves). The non‑override budget submitted to the town represents the smaller set of services and positions the district would operate under if the town does not adopt override funding; school leaders said those cuts would materially change offerings and staffing across Milton Public Schools.

Summary of discussion and key points

- Public comment: Two residents spoke in the budget hearing. Cara Moon, a long‑time Milton resident, raised concerns about past deficits, line‑item clarity, and said school staff reductions were being presented in a way she described as threatening; she said reserves had been used and questioned several line items. Mike Zulu, another resident and former finance committee participant, urged accuracy in how prior budget decisions were described and said he expected the town to pass an override this year. (Public comments: Cara Moon; Mike Zulu.)

- Finance subcommittee briefing: Committee members and staff (including Katie Blake, assistant superintendent of finance and operations) said the FY26 level‑service budget was reworked to align many line items with FY24 actuals, add a small number of required positions (for…