Superintendent Tim presented the district's FY27 budget calendar and said the top budget drivers will be contract salary obligations, transportation and utilities, and out-of-district special-education tuition. He highlighted schedule milestones including Dec. 1 posting dates, Dec. 15 screening-team application deadlines for hiring work, Jan. 9 delivery of the budget book and a Feb. 5 public budget hearing and committee vote.

Tim emphasized immediate fiscal uncertainties: the town's electricity contract expires in January 2027 and out-of-district special-education rates remain a variable cost. He said the district is entering negotiations this year with instructional assistants and ABA tutors and that those outcomes will affect FY27 planning.

On class sizes, Tim noted the district guideline ranges (K-3: 18-22; grades 4-5: 18-24; 6-12: 18-24 ideally not higher than 28). Tim reported two exceeded sections: Pine Hill grade 1 with four sections (24 students each) and Sheehan grade 5 with two sections of 26. To address variability, Tim proposed exploring temporary, districtwide buffer zones to triage enrollments while longer-term redistricting is planned; under the proposal, existing students would not be moved but new registrations would be assigned to maintain class-size targets. Committee members raised operational concerns (sibling placement, bussing logistics, community outreach and timing) and cautioned that implementing buffer zones this cycle could be challenging.

Why it matters: Class-size pressures can affect staffing needs and the operating budget; buffer zones would change incoming-assignment rules and require community conversation and transportation planning before kindergarten registration.

Next steps: The superintendent will prepare options and budgetary implications for the committee, including potential near-term budgeting buffers for classrooms and more detailed community engagement if the committee elects to pursue buffer zones.