School Committee approves $4.104 million budget investment plan from net‑school‑spending carryover

The Brockton School Committee unanimously approved a $4,104,196.81 budget investment plan on March 4, authorizing one-time expenditures drawn from last year’s net‑school‑spending carryover. The plan targets curriculum materials, technology, STEM kits, literacy resources, arts and athletics equipment and short‑term staffing supports intended to be implemented before the end of the 2024–25 school year.

Why it matters: The $7.2 million carryover must be spent on student learning to avoid state funding consequences; committee and district leaders said the plan focuses on one‑time investments aligned with the district strategic plan to address immediate gaps while preserving flexibility for next fiscal year.

Details of the plan and vote: The plan totals $4,104,196.81 and passed by roll call after a motion by Anna Oliver and a second by Mr. Gomes. All present committee members voted yes. District leadership described how proposals were vetted: department and principal input, alignment to the strategic plan, prioritizing items that could be procured or executed within the remaining school year and favoring one‑time costs that also support long‑term goals.

Major spending categories identified by the district include: - STEM: prepared science kits for the reengagement center, engineering kits for middle schools, additional IXL licenses, and higher‑performance laptops for Brockton Virtual Learning Academy. - Literacy and curriculum: English language development materials, replenishment of Amplify kits, purchase of Lenses on Literature for high school ELA, TeachTown kits for K–12, leveled readers and diverse Spanish/Portuguese/Haitian Creole books. - Staffing and planning time: stipends for 35 paraprofessionals to support common planning time at elementary levels for the remainder of the year. - Social‑emotional learning and climate: Calm Classroom resources, classroom regulation stations and bullying‑prevention enhancements. - Arts and athletics: classroom ukuleles, collapsible basketball backboards, middle‑school football helmets, new wrestling mats, art supplies and facility maintenance items for gyms and fields.

Budget context and carryover mechanics: Superintendent Dr. Tihliani and committee members explained the carryover resulted from prior cost containment and hiring freezes. The carryover ($7.2 million) must be used for net school spending (instructional/student services) rather than non‑net items such as transportation. The district also projects a further potential carryover for the current fiscal year; leaders emphasized the need to remain below a 5% carryover threshold to avoid state Chapter 70 funding reductions.

Votes at a glance: - Motion: Accept the budget investment plan presented by Dr. Tihliani totaling $4,104,196.81. Mover: Anna Oliver. Seconder: Mr. Gomes. Outcome: Approved unanimously (Vice Chair: yes; Gomes: yes; Sullivan: yes; Vega: yes; Azek: yes; Oliver: yes; Sullivan (second Sullivan listed in roll call): yes; Chair: yes). - Consent agenda (collective): Donations, several minutes approvals, home education approvals, acceptance of several small grants (USAC cybersecurity pilot; work‑based learning planning; MyCap development) and personnel notifications were approved unanimously as read.

Discussion and next steps: Committee members said earlier submission and transparency helped vet the proposals and asked for ongoing updates on procurement timelines and execution. Superintendent’s office said some items may not be fully executed within four months but that the list reflected implementable requests and that remaining carryover would be managed with the city to avoid the DESE 5% trigger.

Ending: The committee approved the plan and leaders said they would begin procurement and report progress to the committee at upcoming meetings.