Milton Public Schools outlines FY27 budget process, timeline and five priorities

Warrant Committee Chair Jay Fondling opened a joint meeting with the School Committee on Nov. 3 and said the purpose was to "hear the plan for the budget and get us kicked off right for the year." Interim Superintendent John Fallon and Assistant Superintendent for Finance Katie Blake then presented the district's FY27 budgeting process, a timeline for public review and five district teaching-and-learning priorities that will guide resource decisions.

Fallon, introduced as interim superintendent, said the budget must align with instructional goals: "Our budget resources should follow the teaching and learning goals that we have for our children and our educators." He identified five priorities the administration used to set budget direction: strong tier-1 classroom instruction, data-driven teaching, increased rigor with high expectations and supports, targeted interventions for students not meeting benchmarks, and maintaining a safe, welcoming learning environment.

Katie Blake described the mechanics of the operating budget and the timetable for public engagement. She told members that about 81% of the district's operating budget is salary-related and that year-to-year budget increases are primarily driven by contractual salary changes and mandated services such as transportation and special education. Blake said the district posts budget materials on the Milton Public Schools budget web page and intends to present a public draft in late January or early February for review and feedback.

The district framed budget development around nationally recommended practices: plan and prepare with stakeholder input, set instructional priorities and align resources to those priorities, implement with attention to sustainability, and use data to measure results. Fallon and Blake said the school committee sets policy and goals, while the superintendent and central office implement operations and day-to-day fiscal management.

Fallon and Blake emphasized reporting and controls: quarterly budget reports, encumbrances for known obligations, and a tighter review of purchase orders in April to manage year-end balance. The administration also noted capital and revolving accounts (facility rental, athletics, community schools) and said those accounts will be included in communications to families and posted materials.

Next steps: staff will continue monthly/weekly finance subcommittee meetings, post materials and videos on the district budget page and return with a public draft budget in late January/early February. Fallon invited warrant members and the public to submit questions during the drafting process.