Dennis‑Yarmouth School Committee adopts $84.44 million FY2026 budget, uses E&D to cover final high‑school bond payment

The Dennis‑Yarmouth Regional School Committee voted 6–0 on March 3 to adopt an $84,438,405 FY2026 operating budget and to apply $250,000 from Excess and Deficiency (E&D) to operating and $416,150 from E&D to pay the final debt payment on the Dennis‑Yarmouth high‑school bond.

Superintendent Dr. Smith told the committee that after the meeting any changes to the adopted budget can only reduce the total and that the March vote is primarily a notification step to the towns. “After today's vote, any changes to the budget can only be changes to lower the budget,” Dr. Smith said during the presentation.

The budget package reflects a 4.496% operating increase from FY2025 to FY2026, higher state aid compared with the prior year, and a total debt service assessed to the towns of roughly $4.09 million, Dr. Smith said. Committee members discussed how the state’s “minimum required contribution” — a state funding calculation outside the district’s control — is driving differing assessment increases for Dennis and Yarmouth this year.

Committee member Thomas summarized the finance subcommittee’s review of multiple options for using certified E&D to reduce town assessments. The finance subcommittee recommended applying E&D to pay the final high‑school bond payment due in 2026, which the committee incorporated into the motion.

School Committee member Martin moved the main motion to adopt the FY2026 budget of $84,438,405 with a $250,000 transfer from E&D to operating and a $416,150 transfer from E&D to pay the final high‑school bond payment. The motion recorded the operating and debt assessments included in the motion text: Dennis operating assessment of $20,261,669 and debt service, for a total Dennis assessment cited in the motion as $21,547,743; Yarmouth operating assessment of $42,477,342 and debt service for a total Yarmouth assessment cited in the motion as $44,865,765. The committee approved the motion on a roll‑call vote: Glenn, New, Morris, Martin, Landers and the chair voting aye.

Discussion at the table clarified the tradeoffs of using E&D. Committee members noted the district’s certified E&D balance of $33,257,022 and that the committee remains committed to a previously approved step‑down plan that allocates $250,000 of E&D to offset operating costs. Subcommittee members also discussed, but did not adopt, an alternative that would have applied a larger principal payment (approximately $444,445) toward debt.

The committee’s action addresses a recurring calculation that determines local assessments: after removing revenues and the state’s minimum required contribution, the remaining amount is split on a five‑year rolling average (Dr. Smith cited splits of roughly 30.668% to Dennis and 39.332% to Yarmouth for part of the assessment formula). Dr. Smith and committee members emphasized that shifts in the state’s minimum required contribution — which depends on property values and median income — alter which town bears a larger share of the assessment from year to year.

The committee approved the FY2026 budget during the meeting and the vote completes the district’s formal adoption step before the towns are notified and assessed.